Bedtime Booktalks

Top 10 (ish) of 2011

2012-01-22T20:31:00.003-05:00

My Top 10 (ish) of 2011 (or: books I loved for various reasons . . . and I think you should read them):

10. Pinkney, Andrea Davis Bird in a Box
9. Zevin, Gabrielle All These Things I've Done
8. Taylor, Laini Daughter of Smoke and Bone
7. Castle, Jennifer The Beginning of After
6. Flack, Sophie Bunheads and Martinez, Jessica Virtuosity
5. Resau, Laura and Maria Virginia Farinango Queen of Water
4. Johnson, Maureen The Name of the Star
3. Gantos, Jack Dead End in Norvelt and Schmidt, Gary Okay for Now
2. Handler, Daniel and Maira Kalman Why We Broke Up
1. Sloan, Holly Goldberg I'll Be There

You probably didn't even notice that my top ten is really a top twelve, right? I actually have a couple of honorable mentions as well (I know, sick, right?) I don't think you want to miss The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt, Ashfall by Mike Mullin, or Ashes by Ilsa Bick. The first because I just love Reinhardt's writing. A-maz-ing. The last two because teens are going to be banging down your door for sequels, so you better know what they're talking about. Speaking of sequels . . . I need to do a post on that topic--so many good sequels coming in 2012! What are your top ten?

"It was dumb to move away for a fresh start if you didn't actually give yourself one."

2011-05-31T08:03:00.006-04:00

Brooke Berlin seems to have it all--an LA mansion, amazing clothes and shoes, friends who worship her, and enemies who cower at her feet. However, she is unable to attain the one thing she really wants: attention from her superstar father Brick Berlin.

Molly Dix lives a quiet life in Indiana until her mother passes away. Her mother Laurel's dying wish is to have Molly live with her long-lost father, Brick Berlin. She is suddenly thrust into the spotlight--and she becomes Brooke's sister--or as Brooke sees it: her main competition.

In order to force Brooke and Molly to get along after Molly's disastrous introduction to Hollywood, Brick forces the girls to share a room and work on a play together. At the same time, they are torn apart by gossip and Brooke's arch-nemesis, Shelby Kendall.

Molly remembers great advice from Laurel throughout the book which helps her cope with her new circumstances. Whenever Molly thought about something her mom would have told her it reminded me of the stories I have heard about moms who are terminally ill, but take time to leave behind letters and videos to get their children through milestone events.

Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is fun, but not as fluffy as the cover might suggest--there's a lot of work on relationships, friendships, and parenting going on throughout the book. Cocks and Morgan left the door open with several loose ends. The big question becomes: will there be a sequel? I'm sure readers will want to know more about Brooke and her mother, how Brick and Brooke repair their relationship with Molly, and a budding romance. Tell us more!

Spoiled, published by Little, Brown/Poppy, will be available in June 1, 2011. ARC from publisher.

PS: My favorite part? Molly and her boyfriend from Indiana have a ritual of telling each other how much they love one another:

"Just remember, I love you like Homer Simpson loves beer." "Like a mean kid loves dodgeball." "Like a dog loves a fire hydrant."

Reading this cracked me up. Can you think of some more awesome and endearing ways to love someone?

"Without forgiveness, we'd all be walking this Earth angry and alone, and I think that would suck."

2011-05-24T20:29:00.006-04:00

Confession: I love collaborative books. I'd like to think that if I
write a book, it would be in alternating chapters with another author because the dynamic makes me so happy as a reader. Notes From The Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin is no exception.

Declan and Neilly are only children of single parents. Declan's mom died when he was young and Neilly's parents are divorced. Both teens are comfortable and as happy as an angsty teens can be--until their parents turn their lives upside down with the announcement that they are getting married AND having a baby. They are about to become part of a blended family.

Both shocked and mortified, Declan (who has a crush on Neilly) has to face the fact that his father is moving on from mourning his mother. Neilly, whose thick skin has already weathered the revelation that her father is gay, can't believe that her mother is pregnant.

Notes From The Blender is hilarious and irreverent--a great combination. I giggled out loud while Declan suffered the reality of Neilly becoming more of a sister than a love interest. However, I also loved the serious parts where both Declan and Neilly came to terms with some of the big issues that had previously held them back.

Notes From The Blender is available at your local bookstore or library today. Happy Book Birthday, Trish and Brendan!

"But how had that happened? Was everything we had not really ours? And the life we'd led, was none of it real?"

2011-01-13T11:27:00.009-05:00

What would happen if your father lost his job? For 13-year-old Irene, this becomes reality and she is forced to leave her posh Manhattan penthouse and live with her parents at her grandfather's farm in the country. At first Irene has a difficult time adjusting to being away from her friends and having her belongings in storage. Eventually she makes friends and learns that living with her grandfather is not as bad as she might have thought.

Everything I Was by Corinne Demas is a book that addresses the realities of the current economy and how a family's life can be changed overnight. I wonder, though, if it will reach its intended audience with the current cover (the version at left is shown on the ARC, on IndieBound.org, and on Corinne Demas' website). When I requested the galley from Net Galley, I had no idea that this was a middle-grade appropriate novel. I asked several students how old the girl on the cover was and no one guessed even close to Irene's age (13). A cover makeover would really improve the appeal of this book. Most teens who pick it up are going to have completely different expectations based upon the cover.

Everything I Was will be published by Lerner in April 2011. Read from Net Galley on my NOOKcolor.

"Even a bird in a box can get free if he uses his wits."

2011-01-12T09:43:00.023-05:00

Living in Michigan, I often hear stories about Joe Louis. There is even a statue of his fist in downtown Detroit--a must-see if you ever visit. I was excited to read the author's note at the beginning of Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney and find out that it is set against the backdrop of several famous Joe Louis boxing matches. Bird in a Box is the story of three children, Hibernia Lee Tyson, Willie, and Otis, and how their lives intersect throughout 1936-1937 in Elmira, New York.

Hibernia, who lives with her father, the Reverend at the True Vine Baptist Church, was born to sing. However, her mother has left the family to pursue a singing career and the Reverend is not interested in having Hibernia follow the same path. As Hibernia aptly explains, "Time and time again, I have tried to tell the reverend that to deny me the opportunity to present my vocal abilities to a dance-floor crowd is to trap my God-given gifts under a butterfly net."

Willie, an aspiring boxer himself, lives with his mother and father. His father, Sampson, is a violent drunk. After a terrible incident with Sampson, Willie's mother sends him to the safety of Mercy, an orphanage. At Mercy, Willie meets Lila, a caretaker who has recently begun attending True Vine Baptist Church and Otis, whose parents have been killed in a recent accident. The boys become fast friends and allies who also share a love of listening to Joe Louis fights on Otis' most prized possession, a Philco radio that belonged to his father.

When Lila invites the True Vine youth choir to sing for the children at Mercy during the holidays, Otis develops a crush on Hibernia. Both Lila and Willie help Otis as he offers Hibernia an important piece of himself. We also get to see Hibernia break through her father's concerns about singing and truly shine on a public stage and Willie work to overcome the tragic family events that landed him at Mercy.

I was interested to read about people gathering within the community to listen to the boxing matches on the radio. It's hard to imagine a time when media wasn't at our fingertips, but Pinkney's novel helps explain the radio my grandmother keeps on a shelf in her living room to this day. I also loved the voice of each character in the book. Lila is compassionate and kind, she cares for the children at Mercy as if they were her own. Willie and Otis are feisty boys who develop a strong and amazing friendship. Hibernia is sassy, smart, and interesting--my kind of girl!

There are some great historical notes at the end of the book about the real people and places mentioned within the text and a section of additional reading (one of my favorite things!)

And, as a side note, I LOVE this cover and can't wait to see the art in the finished copy!

Bird in a Box will be published by Little, Brown in April 2011. Read from Net Galley on my NOOKcolor.

"Don't go wastin' all those bright tomorrows you ain't even seen by hangin' onto what happened yesterday. Let go, child. Just breathe and let go."

2010-01-16T09:15:00.001-05:00

It's easy to tell that there is something different about CeeCee's mother. No one else has a mom spends all her money on secondhand prom dresses . . . and then wanders all over town wearing them. CeeCee's father can't handle her mother's behavior, so he has largely disappeared from their lives. Fortunately for CeeCee, the next door neighbor, Mrs. O'dell, has always been there to take care of her. However, no one can protect CeeCee's mother from herself and, when an unfortunate accident occurs, her father decides that CeeCee will go live with her Great Aunt Tootie.

CeeCee does not know Aunt Tootie and is hesitant about leaving everything she has always known, but she discovers that leaving behind what she loves does not mean losing herself. Moving into Aunt Tootie's home and life connects CeeCee with an amazing group of women who guide, protect, and love her unconditionally, allowing her to reconcile with her mother's bizarre life and become her own person at the same time.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman first attracted me because of the cover. It's beautiful. Seriously. Even more lovely is the language Hoffman uses to describe CeeCee's life, the customs she encounters in the South, and the people she meets along the way. I kept reading passages over and over and marking places that I wanted to remember for later. I'm also a sucker for intergenerational relationships and CeeCee is fortunate enough to find people who transform her life throughout her story.

It was officially announced last week that Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is the first book Sam's Club is promoting for its new book club. This is a great first choice--it will be interesting to see where Sam's Club goes from here in terms of book choices and how their recommendation effects book sales.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt was published January 12, 2010. The ARC I read was sent to me by Beth Hoffman.

"I felt very emotional about segregation, about the way we were treated, and about the way we treated each other."

2010-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I had the good fortune of hearing Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan of Bookends Book Blog speak at the 2009 Michigan Association for Media in Education Conference in October. Their session focused on nonfiction books and graphic novels. The book that really caught my attention was Claudette Colvin : Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose. I was interested to read the story of the teenager who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama nine months before Rosa Parks' historic moment. I have always known about Rosa Parks--"her" bus is on exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and my children love to get on the bus and hear the story. I had not, however, heard of Claudette Colvin and her place in history.

I was not disappointed when I finally had the chance to read this book. While Hoose tells the facts and fills in many interesting historical events that were taking place as Colvin's story unfolded, the most amazing words in this book are written by Colvin herself. She writes about her experiences, bringing them to life and demonstrating how courageous and frustrated she was. She gives a firsthand perspective of what it was like to be a teen living in a city that strongly enforced segregation.

As I read this book I thought about all the amazing pieces of history that we lose when stories are never told. Then, upon reading the Author's Note, I discovered that Claudette Colvin's story may never have been told in this amazing book. She did not seek out the spotlight. In fact, it took many years after his initial request for Colvin to agree to work with Hoose to tell her story.

Each time I talk about this book I have a student ask me where it is and if I have more copies--both reactions that any librarian could love! It's also wonderful to see this book get some award attention. It won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose accepted the award together--video included on the site) and is on the shortlist for the new YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults award (the winner will be announced at ALA Midwinter in Boston).

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose was published January 20, 2009. The copy I read was from my school library.

The Facts First! Nonfiction Monday round-up is hosted today at Picture Book of the Day.

"Going straight to the source and learning something new is like finding buried treasure."

2009-11-23T07:37:00.003-05:00

Many of the blogs I like to read have been participating in Facts First! Nonfiction Monday posts. I have enjoyed reading about new nonfiction books and decided to share one that I purchased at the AASL conference in Charlotte this month. Go Straight to the Source by Kristin Fontichiaro is part of the forthcoming 8-title series "Super Smart Information Strategies." Fontichiaro, a school library media specialist and Michigan colleague and friend, writes about using inquiry strategies to discover more about primary sources.

What I like about Go Straight to the Source is that it covers several types of primary sources (pictures, objects, and print), helps students learn what a primary source is, and provides hands-on activities and examples to guide readers through the process of using these resources in research. Each activity reminds students to ask questions and write about what they see, think, and wonder. This page, for example, demonstrates how a reader might ask questions about a primary source image.

Fontichiaro also explains how regular people are creating primary sources that tell stories about them each day. In one activity she challenges students to look at the objects an adult has in his or her pocket and/or purse in order to learn more about the person. She then continues the activity and explains how a student might learn about another through the objects in his/her backpack.

Unfamiliar words are highlighted throughout the text and there is a glossary to help with both pronounciation and definitions of these words. There is also an index which is helpful in locating information about specific types of primary sources throughout the book. Go Straight to the Source is written for an upper elementary audience, but I will probably use many of the activities in middle school as well, especially because many of my students have never investigated primary sources or worked closely with a librarian in the past.

Go Straight to the Source will be published in January 2010. Other titles in the series include Find Your Way Online, Team Up Online, Find the Right Site, Hit the Books, Write it Down, Put it All Together, and Make the Grade.

This week Facts First! Nonfiction Monday is hosted by Diane Chen at Practically Paradise.

"I begin to think that maybe there are more things in life that seem simple, or even stupid, on the surface but turn out to have so much more . . .."

2009-11-20T12:00:00.003-05:00

Lucius and Aurora are the new kids at school. However, they have arrived under vastly different circumstances. Lucius' family has moved after he did the unthinkable: created an explosion that left him without his arms. Aurora's father has decided to move after they lose her mother to sickness. Both are alone in a new place and have to figure out how to cope. Unlike Lucius, Aurora is instantly popular. She is the kind of girl everyone wants to be friends with. For Lucius, it's more difficult. People notice right away that he has prosthetic arms, complete with hooks, which intimidates many and keeps them at a distance. Told in alternating chapters, we hear Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logstead from both Lucius' and Aurora's voices.

I read this book quickly, probably within a couple of hours. However, I've gone back to it four or five times in the last few weeks--reading parts out loud to students, colleagues, and generally whoever would listen because there were so many parts that I wanted to share. I loved Lucius' relationship with Nick Greek, the former football star turned security guard at his new school. There's something transformational about being able to help someone else when you are in bad circumstances and their friendship defined that for me. I also tend to believe that one positive relationship with an adult can change a kid forever, even though the impact may not be seen for years.

Although this is a quick read, there is a lot to think about. I'm always advocating for kids to be allowed to read whatever they want, regardless of format or length--this book is an example of a slim volume that really delivers.

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logstead was published in September, 2009.

"Among the hardships, disappointments, and losses, it's the adventure of it all that has gotten me up each morning."

2009-11-11T21:00:00.002-05:00

It's summer and Lyza has no idea the adventure that lies ahead of her. It's 1968, the Vietnam War has captured the attention of the nation, and Lyza's mother has left the family. Instead of being free to wander and enjoy the summer, Lyza's father decides that she must wash dishes at the local diner while her father teaches courses at the local university. Lyza's unique friendships with her neighbors Malcolm and Carolann make them perfect partners for sneaking off while her father is working. Her friends also provide a window to look at race relations in the late '60s, as Malcolm is African American and his brother is drafted, sending letters home throughout the summer explaining the differences between current society and the military attitude about race, as well as sharing what it's like to be at war.

Lyza and her grandfather have always shared a love of adventure. From the time she was little, he would show her maps and tell her about his travels. When he passes away, she discovers an envelope that says, "FOR LYZA ONLY." She has to decide if she should share the contents of the envelope and, if so, who will understand? Will she be able to figure out the clues her grandfather left behind? Even if she can discover the secret, will she have enough time to complete the adventure?

Told in verse, this is a story of a family figuring out how to change when circumstances demand new ways. I especially loved the relationship between Lyza and her grandfather. I lived with my grandparents twice (once as a teenager and once as an adult), so I got to enjoy a great relationship with my grandfather. Reading about Lyza's adventures reminded me of how much I miss him--and what a wonderful influence he was in my life.

Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant was published in 2009.

"Lucky me. I found the right kind of love. With the wrong person."

2009-10-25T21:00:00.005-04:00

The statistic that brought Ellen Hopkins to write Tricks is that the average age of a prostitute in the United States is twelve. TWELVE. When Ellen Hopkins visited B&N to read and sign her latest book, Tricks, during Banned Books Week, she told the audience that she wants teens to know that there are other ways. That they can make better choices.

Tricks is the story of five teens: Eden, Seth, Ginger, Whitney, and Cody, and the choices each of them makes when faced with difficult family situations. Hopkins based most of her characters in Tricks on teens she has met and pieces of their lives that they have shared with her. Written in verse, each of the teens tells they story of how he or she ended up as a prostitute in Las Vegas.

It took me almost two weeks to read Tricks because it was so hard to continue. I have three children of my own and I work in a middle school, so I have lots to worry about. Reading these stories made me scared, then sad, but ultimately the end also gave me hope. Hopkins researched Tricks through the stories of teen prostitutes, as well as the people who work to help change their lives.

It was amazing to hear Ellen Hopkins read a bit about each of the teens. She answered audience questions, many from teens, and then graciously signed her books. Following the signing, it was fun to meet Tirzah from The Compulsive Reader and Sara from The Hiding Spot and chat with Ed Spicer from Spicy Reads. I'm looking forward to more community events that allow readers to connect with authors and one another.

"My biggest fear was that I'd wake up every day alone, that I'd never find someone to love."

2009-09-22T17:45:00.005-04:00

Johanna has always been the kind of girl who others count on. She's a good student and a great friend. She even volunteers her time at a nursing home. Underneath the surface, however, Johanna has problems like anyone else. Her parents have both passed away, forcing her sister Tessa and brother-in-law Martin to move home to take care of her. Her relationship with Tessa is complicated by the fact that she believes that her sister does not approve of her being a lesbian. Johanna has always taken care of her best friend Novak, but their friendship is troublesome due to Novak's on-again, off-again boyfriend and rocky relationship with her parents. She depends on Johanna to be there, but is not really a reliable friend herself.

What Johanna really wants is Reeve Hartt. Reeve is also a lesbian and seems comfortable in her own skin. She doesn't know Johanna is alive until Johanna starts tutoring Reeve's twin brother Robbie. While working with Robbie, Johanna begins to spend time with Reeve and a tenuous relationship develops. What Johanna could not have realized is that Reeve and Robbie lead a messy home life, one which ultimately leads to tragedy.

This is one of those books where I constantly yelled at the main character. I wanted her to understand the destructive nature of her relationship and to realize her own value. In the end, both Johanna and Reeve have to figure out what is best for each of them individually, which will resonate with teens who face decisions about their own relationships.

Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters was released September 8, 2009.

"I had the strangest sensation there was more to the story."

2009-08-24T13:07:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wished for something to happen and then when it did, you had that creepy feeling, the one where part of you thinks that you willed it to happen? Now imagine that your wish is that the popular kids at school who are constantly picking on you would die. And then, Lucy, who is #1 on your list, goes missing. This is the set up for Todd Strasser's newest book, Wish You Were Dead.
Our protagonist is Madison, a well-off girl who is part of the popular crowd but also is involved with other kids. She is not one to make fun of other students. But she is one of the 2 drivers who dropped Lucy off at her house the night she disappeared. Madison tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to Lucy (and then other students in their clique).
Madison is getting clues from lots of people but will she be able to put them together in time to save her friends?

This book is due to be published on September 22, 2009.

"Something had been born here and it lived here still"

2009-08-17T17:56:00.004-04:00

I love a good ghost story and the creep factor that goes along with it. When I was in Chicago for ALA, I snagged an ARC of The Birthing House by Christopher Ransom and looked forward to starting it.

Conrad Harrison is lost in many ways before the book even begins. But as he moves his wife, Joanna and their dogs from LA to Black Earth, his life starts to unravel in ways he could not predict or prevent. The former owners of this "birthing house," the Laskis, are strange and their unknown number of children are just not right. Laski brings Conrad a photo of the women of the house from years ago . . . and Conrad recognizes one of them. She startingly resembles his wife. After Joanna leaves for a work trip and Conrad gets sucked deeper and deeper into the house and those that still inhabit it, he loses track of what is real and what is dream. But is it really a dream at all?

You can watch the video trailer for the book, where the author explains what has inspired him to write it. He and his wife actually moved into a birthing house and after he had a nightmare, he decided to write the novel. Can we say creepy? If I had nightmares like this book, I might hesitate to go to sleep!

The Birthing House was just released on August 4, 2009.

Ypulse Author Spotlight: Julie Kraut

2009-07-29T17:31:00.004-04:00

Julie Kraut, author of Slept Away, is the focus of today's Ypulse Author Spotlight. Julie discusses her book and how camp has changed (and how it is oh-so-the-same) since she was a camper. It's a great interview--check it out!

"Everyone's afraid of something."

2009-07-28T09:03:00.024-04:00

I caught Gitty Daneshvari at the Little, Brown booth between sessions at ALA 2009 and she signed a copy of School of Fear for me. She was very friendly!

Imagine your worst fear. Madeleine, Theodore, Lulu, and Garrison's fears go deeper: they each have a phobia. Maddie is afraid of bugs. She lives covered in nets and bug spray. She insists that rooms be fumigated before she will enter. Theo is afraid of dying. So afraid, in fact, that he has created an elaborate system for his family to check in and prove that they're not dead. Lulu is claustrophobic. She won't even use an elevator. Garrison is afraid of deep water. He is an athlete, but will not swim. Their fears are so deep that they have affected the way the children live their lives. In order to help relieve them of their phobias, the children are sent to the School of Fear for the summer. This uber-secretive institution is run by the eccentric Mrs. Wellington from an exceptionally secluded location. What exactly happens at the school is anyone's guess. However, it is understood that the children will be sequestered for the summer and will be helped to overcome their fears.

Upon arrival, it becomes clear to the children that School of Fear is not an ordinary institution. It is held in Mrs. Wellington's home which is decorated in a 50's motif (original, not retro) and includes the "Fearnasium," a place for the children to work out their fears. Mrs. Wellington, a former beauty queen, imagines the children as contestants and puts them through a hilarious and ridiculous form of pageant training. The children wonder, however, just how this will help cure them of their phobias. Mrs. Wellington has an elaborate plan to help the children. Can she carry it out? As they story unfolds, along with the groundskeeper and cook Schmidty, the lawyer Munchauser, and Mrs. Wellington's bulldog Macaroni, the children realize that they will never forget their summer at the School of Fear.

When I first received this book from Little, Brown as a "Galley of the Week," I was taken by the cover. I'll be the first to admit that I am attracted to book covers. There has been a lot of buzz about this lately (Justine Larbalestier's post, John Green's post, a challenge found via A Chair, a Fire Place, and a Tea Cozy at Color Online) and I admit that I have a habit of snapping pictures of book covers (wherever I see them) so I can go to my trusty computer and find out what the book is "really about." The cover, as well as the art throughout the book, really does depict the feel of the book itself, which I like.

I also loved the language. There are several places throughout the book where I wanted to write notes because I wanted to remember how things were described or stated. My friend Kristin felt the same way, writing about it in an e-mail to me, " . . . there would be a line that was so pitch-perfect! There was one about how Mrs W. was never so alert and so insane as when she talked about pageantry that was priceless."

Finally, I learned about Casu Frazigu (a.k.a. maggot cheese) which I had never heard of before. Thank you, enlightening children's books, you may help me win a trivia game one day!

School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari will be published September 1, 2009.

Geektastic Cover!

2009-07-16T20:56:00.003-04:00

I loved Geektastic and was thrilled to meet Holly Black when she was signing at ALA last weekend. My friend Kristin just sent me this great link to an article about the cover from Publishers Weekly. All of the authors who wrote a story in the book have an icon on the cover. The art in this book is wonderful also--I encourage you to check it out!

ALA 2009 Wrap-Up (Warning: It's LONG!)

2009-07-15T19:39:00.021-04:00

I returned from ALA 2009 on Tuesday and have been thinking about what I would like to say about my experiences. The best way for me to divide it, I think, is into sections based on the types of activities I participated in during the weekend.

Part I: Professional Activities

I joined ALA in order to participate in more professional activities. I felt that I was not getting enough contact with people who thought the way I did and had similar goals. A colleague suggested I apply for the Emerging Leaders program and the rest is history (!) Therefore, the sessions and committee meetings I attend during the conference help me to learn more about my profession and how I can do my job better. This is an overview of a few of the sessions I attended.

On Saturday, I enjoyed attending the AASL President's program. Laurie Halse Anderson, Alan Lawrence Sitomer, and Jacqueline Woodson spoke, mostly about reading and the importance of books in the lives of children. All three lamented the loss of school librarians and how that effects the access kids have to books, as well as access to libraries in general. I work with a population very similar to the one Sitomer described (disadvantaged, urban, lots of attendance problems, transient) and I always worry that they are not reading in the summer due to lack of access. I have partnered with the public librarians in my town to help bridge school library use to public library use, and my colleagues and I also sent home nearly 50 backpacks filled with books for our students this summer. I hope people understand that lack of access truly effects urban children (and rural children too!) Anderson also told it like it is about the potential loss of BBYA--thanks, Laurie!

Another session I attended was called "Walk the Line" and provided information regarding censorship vs selection. This has been a hot topic among librarians recently (even making the cover of SLJ). I don't think this session provided the "aha" moment, but rather cemented the things I know about selection. While we all have more limited budgets each day, it is exceptionally important that we choose wisely based upon our patrons' needs and the constraints of our selection policy. The presenters made strong points about the awesome responsibility of providing patrons with resources that they are looking for without prejudice because they count on their libraries. My students frequently come to me asking for certain types of books. I am always open to listening to their ideas and trying as hard as I can to get what they want and will enjoy. I also make a point of reading the books kids recommend to me. I have discovered a lot of great reads through student recommendations.

This was the first ALA event at which I had the privilege of presenting to my colleagues. I am a member of AASL's Best Websites for Teaching and Learning task force which presented our inaugural awards this year at the conference. We had tables for 150 participants and decided that we would add some chairs in the back in case people did not want to sit at the tables. We ended up with a packed house--I couldn't resist taking a few pictures from the stage! The presentation was interactive, including polling the audience using their cell phones and Polleverywhere (a persuasive argument for cell phone use in schools) and a Skype call with James Byers, one of the co-founders of Wikispaces. We were initially concerned about possible technical difficulties, but were fortunate that everything went well and we were able to show some of the capabilities of our winners. The full list, as well as some example tie-ins to the Standards for the 21st Century Learner, a PDF of the bookmark listing the winners, and a Voicethread telling more about the winners, is on our website. Please feel free to visit--and nominate a favorite website for inclusion on the 2010 list! (Special thanks to Pam Berger for leading our task force--Skype calls will never be the same!)

If you have never been to an all-committee meeting, I highly recommend that you take the opportunity at ALA Midwinter or Annual. It's a great way to get involved with the work of the association. I attended AASL's all-committee session this year to meet with the LMS Role in Reading task force. I have participated on this task force for the past year and have gained knowledge from some of my most respected LMS colleagues, including Judi Morellion, our chair. While the position statement is complete, there have been few opportunities to share this important work with our colleagues. There is a toolkit that we are hoping will be added to the website to help support SLMSs all over the country and we will present some of the work at a very short session during AASL 2009 in Charlotte, NC.

Some of the most interesting sessions I attended at ALA this year were the BBYA sessions. I was unable to make it to hear the teens speak due to a conflict, but I loved sitting in and listening to my colleagues respectfully and thoughtfully discuss YA literature. I have heard various people talk about their experiences on the BBYA committee and I was grateful to have the opportunity to watch the process in action. I loved the green and red "YES" and "NO" paddles that each participant used to agree and disagree with one another. It was fascinating and I hope to attend more of these sessions in the future.

Part II: The Exhibits

The first time I ever saw an ALA exhibit floor I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn't believe the corporate products and services that were brought together in one place for librarians. I was only slightly more prepared for ALA in Chicago because I had seen a list of the authors who would be appearing and signing and I know the companies I like to see when I am at ALA. However, I was constrained by my meeting schedule, so I knew I would have only a few time periods when I could cruise through and see what was new and hot. It was probably good, however, that I was limited because the exhibits were a madhouse! There were so many people on Saturday that I decided to leave. I couldn't take the crowd. It was hard to talk to the reps in the booths, which is usually my favorite part of the exhibits. On Sunday and Monday I had better luck talking to the reps and even getting some books signed by authors. The highlights for me included meeting Sarah Dessen, Sherman Alexie, Laurie Halse Anderson, Sarah Ockler, e lockhart, Holly Black, Matthew L. Holm and Jennifer Holm, and Justina Chen Headley. My surprise meet up with Gitty Daneshvari, author of School of Fear, was also a high point. She was so friendly and I loved her book, so it was a cool moment. I also had Judy Blume and Neil Gaiman sightings, but could not wait in their loooooong lines!

I enjoyed getting a chance to thank the reps from Bound to Stay Bound who have provided an award which will facilitate my attendance at AASL in Charlotte. I wanted them to know just how fortunate I feel to receive their funding in tight times. I heard grumbling from many sources who felt that there were less "free" books and other types of swag at this conference than they have seen in the past. I, for one, understand the commitment that the vendors who attend ALA make to be a part of this conference. When thousands of people attend, the vendors cannot be expected to provide each person with a giant pile of free books. That just isn't good business. However, it is good business to be friendly and informative, as well as provide materials which will create buzz about their newest products and resources. Sometimes that means ARCs, but often brochures/reader's guides and other promotional materials. I am glad that so many vendors choose to travel and be a part of ALA, even in tight economic times--it's great to speak directly with reps you may only know electronically and see demos of new and innovative products. I hope that they will continue to be able to support and sponsor ALA even if it means that the way they participate evolves in future years.

Part III: The Awards

This year my sister attended ALA with me (our first ever "sister" trip). I wanted her to have the full experience, so we attended both the Newbery/Caldecott/Wilder and Printz (she also attended the YA Coffee Klatch/Morris presentation--it conflicted with my presentation). I have attended the Printz in the past, but this was my first Newbery. I am so grateful that I attended the Newbery/Caldecott/Wilder banquet. It was interesting to end up sitting with a woman who was on a previous Newbery committee and get some insight on her experiences. The part I enjoyed the most, though, was the speeches. Beth Krommes, winner of the Caldecott Medal for her illustrations in The House in the Night, was so down-to-earth. I could feel the excitement that she must have felt when she found out she was being honored. I was able to congratulate her briefly the following morning and she mentioned how difficult it was to write her speech because she is an artist, not an author. No matter, I think, because I was just so happy to witness her joy.

The next speaker was Neil Gaiman, winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal for The Graveyard Book. The high point of the speech for me was when Neil said he stands, " . . . on the side of books you love . . .," in the conversation of books you like vs books that are good for you. I, too, stand for well-loved books and stories, sometimes reading favorites over and over. In addition, it was fun to hear him tell the story of being a "feral child" among the library stacks. The stories Gaiman shared were inspiring and interesting--I'm sure I'll go back to the audio provided at the dinner when I need a pick-me-up in the future.

The third speaker of the evening, Ashley Bryan, was honored with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. Bryan's speech was an amazing combination of his life experiences and having audience speak chorally the beautiful words of Langston Hughes and Nikki Giovanni. I had goosebumps throughout and made so many connections to the kids in my community through his words. My sister and I ran into him the next morning and had a brief moment to thank him for inspiring us. We were overwhelmed when he hugged us both. What a genuine and beautiful man.

The following evening we attended the Printz award ceremony. I like the Printz event because all of the authors get to give a speech. Terry Pratchett was unable to attend the ceremony, but he sent a video and his editor accepted the award on his behalf. In the background of the video he was making a sword (of course) and he told us that, "It's wonderful for an author when you're writing fast because you want to know what happens next." I read Nation before it became a Printz Honor and wondered if it might even win the award itself, so it was great to be able to hear Pratchett speak about the process of writing it.

M.T. Anderson, author of Printz Honor book The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II, spoke next and, let's be honest, it was awesome. He made the point that we must not underestimate the intelligence of our students--especially if we want to avoid raising children who can't think for themselves. There were cheers all over the audience throughout the speech. It's exhausting to hear people say that kids won't read certain books or that they aren't accessible, so I loved hearing an author so eloquently debunk all that nonsense based on personal experience. Not every book may be to my personal taste, but that does not mean that it won't be THE book that hooks a kid.

E Lockhart followed Anderson's speech and she laughed at the prospect of doing so. I love, love, love The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks (as well as having reading all of her other published books and short stories), but this was the first time I had heard her speak. She made the comment that, "Books are not billboards," pointing out that adults often think that YA must have a message and be good for kids or they shouldn't be reading it. I'm so glad that she had that opportunity to say that--and I hope it was heard!

Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels, had to be the winner for cutest speech. It's funny to think that an author might be insecure about her work or ability--especially one who has now twice been a Printz Honor winner. She mentioned that she really didn't think she could write a book and kept telling herself that she wasn't so that she could get through it. I didn't finish this book before the award ceremony (fell short of my goal!), but I do have it on the table next to my bed in my (ever increasing TBR pile) and am hoping to do so quickly!

The Printz Medal winner, Melina Marchetta, made me laugh when she quoted the post-announcement bloggers who wrote, "Melina who? Jellicoe what?" and other such things when Jellicoe Road was announced as the Printz winner. I will admit that this book was not on my radar, but I'm so glad it won because I ended up reading a well-written and interesting story that I may not have found otherwise. Marchetta made the excellent point that the "30 page rule" frequently does not hold up and that so many great surprises are found on page 31. Keep reading, folks! (It's worth it!) She also said (brilliantly), "I'd like to think the first line of a novel doesn't make sense unless you've read the last." I hope readers give Jellicoe Road a chance--it's a wonderful journey. I know that I will be re-reading it in the near future because I will get so much more the second time around.

Part IV: The Social Aspect

Let's be honest: a big part of ALA is the excitement of being able to socialize with other librarian-types. Through the Internet, I "know" a lot of librarians, but rarely have time to sit down and just talk and laugh with them. ALA offers just this opportunity. While standing in line to have books signed, I always meet interesting new people who have library jobs I hadn't thought of. At this conference I met an Army librarian who provides a variety of services to our soldiers. She not only provides reading materials, but also supports them as they work through distance education college classes. How cool is that?

I also got to hang out with Sara and Necia, librarians in Alaska and Boston, who I met through Emerging Leaders last year. I don't think I ever laugh more than when I'm with Sara and I also learn a lot about what it means to be a librarian situated in a very secluded area of the US. Both Sara and Necia are serving on audiobook committees of ALSC this year, so it was interesting to pick their brains about how audiobooks fit into the library puzzle.

I have heard rumors about the Bookcart Drillteam Championships (sponsored by Demco), but had never seen it in action--until Chicago. Kristin and Karen insisted that it was an activity that we could not miss. They were correct. Mo Willems and John Szieszka were the most hilarious commentators. I spent most of the hour that I was there either laughing, cheering, or just plain old picking my jaw up off the floor. The librarians who had created routines, costumes, and then trained in order to put on the Bookcart Drillteam show were a true spectacle of library awesomeness. I don't have a staff of librarians to do this with, but am considering the creation of a virtual team. Look out, DC 2010!

Karen and I had a mission during the Chicago conference: to take new blog photos. After all, the Denver photos are so wintery--it's time for an update! The only logical place for us to complete this task was the adventure of the glass balconies at the Skydeck. At 103 stories up, we were suspended over the city of Chicago. It was both unnerving and awesome! I realized, more than anything, that I didn't see enough of Kar this trip as we are involved in different parts of ALA and stayed at different hotels. The blog connects us and our books, but most of the books we will write about between now and ALA Midwinter in Boston will be a complete surprise to each other since we missed out on our Bedtime Booktalks, Chicago style.

Part V: The Summary

I was so exhausted when I heaved my book-filled suitcase onto the train Tuesday afternoon. All I wanted to do was get home and sleep. Since that time, I have talked my to husband and kids, rested a little, and received my box of books. I also took the time to clear out my Google Reader (holy cow!) which was pretty full due to lack of Internet access during the conference (ironic, I know!) and catch up on the BBYA news which I really wanted to follow, but had a hard time due to scheduling during the conference. I am appreciative to all of the amazing people at ALA who plan and carry out an amazing conference. Being able to recharge my librarian batteries each summer makes it possible to make it through the tough days of job cuts, budget cuts, and other tedious moments of daily life. I would also like to thank all of the vendors who make the ALA event possible. Without you, I suspect I could not afford to attend a conference of such magnitude. Your generosity is appreciated. Finally, to all the amazing librarians who I briefly spoke with over the 5 days I was in Chicago: thank you for your collective wisdom. You are an amazing group of people who, I know, are changing the world in small and large ways each day!

Part VI: Random Sidenotes

Best book tour shoes: Sarah Dessen (shiny and hot pink!) tied with Laurie Halse Anderson (in honor of her Margaret A. Edwards Award: orange high top Converse!)

Best comfortable shoes: Lorie Ann Grover (pink Puma ballet flats with ribbons!)

Best business cards: Karen (pictures she has taken, including China!) tied with Justina Chen Headley (camoflauge Teen Book Drop cards for Readergirlz!)

Best Swag: Mo Willems/Disney Hyperion (Elephant and Piggy chubby pencils!) tied with AASL's 21st Century Learner buttons (Think, Create, Share, Grow!)

Coolest iPhone App in action: Kristin showed me how she can take a picture of a book cover and have it transfer to her purchasing list (ahhhhh, now if I just had an iPhone!)

Best Guacamole: Angels and Mariachis (all gauc, no lettuce!)

Most interesting hotel: Hotel Monaco (they give you a goldfish to enjoy during your stay AND they provide bath bombs! Sadly, I did not stay there)

Most surprising revelation: still hearing librarians say they don't read (I won't ever stop being surprised at that)

Best laughs: listening to Sara describe her one-eyed cat during our giddy post-Printz dessert at the Palmer House Hilton (sadly, there was no dessert at the event, but we more than made up for that!! Thanks again, Sara!!)

Favorite moment: getting into a cab where the driver had to move a giant stack of well-read books so I could sit down!

Saddest moment: realizing that I would not be able to connect with my other Emerging Leader pal, Jenny, due to schedule conflicts and transportation issues (next time, Jen!)

Thank you Chicago, ALA, and all the many vendors and librarians who made ALA 2009 a wonderful experience. I can't wait for the next one! :-)

"Darkness, real darkness, was something more than just a lack of light."

2009-07-15T16:09:00.002-04:00

When I picked up Beautiful Creatures at BEA, I was looking forward to it. It seemed that Little, Brown was very excited about it; maybe hoping for their next Twilight.
It's daunting at first glance: over 600 pages, a lot for most teen readers I know.
Ethan has always wanted to get out of Gatlin but then he starts dreaming about a girl. And the dreams are more like nightmares. When a new girl shows up in school, Ethan knows it's the girl from his dreams. But Lena Duchannes, niece of the county shut-in and rumored creep, is about to complicate Ethan's life in ways he cannot imagine.
Much like the love story of Twilight and other teen books, supernatural and otherwise, there are plenty of things and people trying to keep Lena and Ethan apart.
Slow to get started, it's worth sticking around to the end.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is due to be published on December 1, 2009.

Online Preview!

2009-07-07T12:44:00.004-04:00

HarperTeen is giving us an inside look at Chris Crutcher's newest novel, Angry Management. I heart Chris Crutcher and can't wait to read this book!

"I have a parking fairy. I'm fourteen years old. I can't drive. I don't like cars and I have a parking fairy."

2009-06-27T13:05:00.001-04:00

A parking fairy? How undoos can you get? Charlie loves to play sports, especially basketball. She attends a sports-focused high school, and, oh yeah, she has a fairy. Most of the people in New Avalon have fairies. Some, like her friend Rochelle's personal shopping fairy are doos, while others, such as her own parking fairy are decidedly doxy. In Justine Larbalestier's How to Ditch Your Fairy, Charlie is doing everything she possibly can to lose her fairy and gain a new one. She has denied it the joy of parking for months in the hope that it would leave and she could move on with a fairy more suited to her needs and interests.

It sounds simple--don't get into a car, deny the fairy it's usefulness, and it will soon go away. However, everyone wants to use Charlie's fairy to find parking, so it's tricky to avoid being in a vehicle. Plus, she has to contend with earning demerits for all the missteps which she believes trying to rid herself of the parking fairy are causing. In order to erase the demerits, she must do hours of public service at the New Avalon Cemetery. During her service, she begins to spend time with Fiorenze, who happens to have an all boys like her fairy. While Charlie thinks she would like to have Fio's fairy, Fio is trying as hard as she can to avoid all boys and get her poxy fairy to leave her alone as well. Her plan seems to be working until Steffi enters the picture. The boy fairy works especially well on Steffi and Fio can't avoid him.

Since Fio's parents are fairy experts, the girls come up with a plan to rid themselves of their fairies once and for all. However, does it pay to ditch your fairy? Is one really better than another? Some crazy things happen throughout this book as Charile and Fio try to lose their fairies and Charlie tries to land Steffi, the pulchy boy of her dreams. I loved the fun vocabulary used in New Avalon--a glossary is included. As for me, I'm afraid I'm hoping for a pretty boring, but useful fairy who will pair and fold all the socks when I do the laundry!

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier was published in 2008.

"I don't just want to be the girl you hooked up with. I want to be the girl you go out with."

2009-06-26T19:30:00.001-04:00

Kate is going to have the perfect summer. She plans to take a summer writing class at the U, play tennis with her best friend Laura, and have fun just hanging out. That is, she was going to do those things . . . until her mother decided to take her across the country to stay with her college roommate's family for the summer. Kate's parents have decided to spend the summer apart to evaluate their relationship and she will be with her mother.

Kate is not thrilled to have her summer plans changed. It doesn't get much better when they arrive in Cape Cod and she finds that Sarah, the daughter of their hosts, is not exactly overjoyed to have her as a guest. At first it seems like Kate might have a hard time fitting in, but then she meets Adam. Although Kate has never had a boyfriend, she thinks Adam just might be interested in her. While she continues to write and her parents try to figure out their marriage, Kate attempts to answer one question: is she Girlfriend Material?

I remember that, "Does he like me? Is this going to happen?" feeling of being a teenager. All nervous and crazy! This book tries to capture those moments of wondering that happen when you're young.

Girlfriend Material by Melissa Kantor was published in May 2009.

Bloggiesta! Wrap-Up

2009-06-21T12:37:00.003-04:00

On Thursday afternoon, I decided to join Bloggiesta in order to work on some posts I have been putting off for a while. My (ambitious) goal was to complete ten posts in 48 hours. Sadly, I was only able to finish four of the ten and begin a draft of number five. I didn't realize how much would pop up over the 48 hour period, making sitting down to write a challenge in itself.

A special thanks to Natasha at Maw Books Blog for hosting this event, as well as all the other bloggers who hosted mini-challenges:

Rebecca at The Book Lady’s Blog - Getting out from underneath the feed reader.
Beth from Beth Fish Reads - On lists and opinions.
Jill at Fizzy Thoughts - Just when you thought the feed reader was halfway managed.
Emily from Emily’s Reading Room - Are you talking about me?
Deborah from Books, Movies, and Chinese Food - You have a blog? So tell me about it.
Lynn from Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile - Get listed.
Jen from Devourer of Books - Wow. I wrote that when? Let’s update.
Amy from My Friend Amy - I need a friend.
Trish from Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’? - On favicons and gravatars. Huh?
Michelle from GalleySmith - Anchor text. You mean there’s a way this *should* be done?
Andrea from Book Blather - Authorities? What authorities?
Ruth from Bookish Ruth - You’re going to analyze what?

I was able to work on a few of these also. I spent some time with Google Reader, as suggested by Rebecca. I also listed Bedtime Booktalks with a few directories, as suggested by Lynn. Most importantly, though, I ended up spending a lot of time learning about blogging and reading the helpful information provided in the links of each challenge. Karen and I have a lot to discuss in Chicago!

Thanks again to all those who put in TONS of hard work to make Bloggiesta happen. I had a great time and learned a lot. Plus, as a bonus, my work will carry through this week as I finish my six waiting posts.

"Don't ever forget it. Petra will need you to be just as good a friend someday, okay?"

2009-06-21T09:57:00.004-04:00

I first learned about The Weight of Silence at Book Expo America in the Harlequin booth. I saw the poster but I did not see any ARCs. I didn't know anything about the book, but the cover really drew me in (Have I ever mentioned that I sometimes DO judge books by their covers? Well, at least, I select them that way). The photo of the dirty hands of an obviously young girl holding a music note necklace -- its a great cover! Then I saw an ad in my Shelf Awareness email about the book. And there was a preview! As soon as I read the 20 page excerpt, I knew that I needed to read this book.

Calli Clark is 7 years old and she is mute. She hasn't spoken since she was 4. But her older brother Ben and her best friend, Petra Gregory, protect her and speak for her. But one morning Calli is dragged into the woods by her father, Griff, unbeknownst to anyone. When Petra's parents discover her missing as well, the stories of the Clark and Gregory families become even more intertwined. As we learn more of the story through the eyes of numerous characters, the tension and mystery builds. What has happened in the woods? And who is responsible? Those looking for the girls (especially Ben and Calli's mom Antonia and Petra's parents, Fielda and Martin) question whether they have let Calli and Petra down, if there was something else they could have done to prevent these young girls from going missing.

Some books stay with you long after you stop reading them. And this is one of those books. I keep going back to the story in my mind and thinking about all the characters and how the choices we make impact not only ourselves, but sometimes also those around us, in ways that cannot be predicted. A story about friendship and family, Heather Gudenkauf, in her debut novel, has written a story that is at once moving and suspenseful. I was not disappointed and can't wait to share this book!

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf will be published on July 28, 2009.

"I don't actually know that much about food."

2009-06-19T20:50:00.012-04:00

I love watching cooking shows. I'm not really a great cook, nor do I really aspire to be one, but seeing amazing (often unknown) ingredients come together just makes me happy. I think that's at least part of what I loved about Lara M. Zeises's new book, The Sweet Life of Stella Madison: many of the chapters begin with a gourmet menu--yum!

Stella is the daughter of a restaurant owner mother and a world famous chef father. She is surrounded by gourmet food all the time, which is pretty funny because she prefers Doritos, Rice Krispie treats, and other decidedly non-gourmet delicacies. As summer begins, Stella knows she will spend time hanging out with her friends and working at her mother's restaurant, The Open Kitchen, a showcase restaurant where chefs come to demonstrate their cooking to the customers. She hopes to earn enough money to purchase a car. It's going to be a long summer, but it will be worth it. Then, due to a last-minute change at the local paper, she is offered an internship. Ironically, they want her to write restaurant reviews. She's not sure this is exactly what she wants to do, but the money is too good to pass up.

Mixed in with all the food talk is Stella's relationship with her boyfriend. She is not the commitment type, so when he starts getting serious, it's time to run. What better arms to run to than Jeremy's, the hot new intern chef at her mother's restaurant? Will Stella end up with Jeremy? Is the pressure to write a restaurant review too much for this non-gourmet girl?

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison will be released July 14, 2009.

"What do you want, Maybe? What do I want, I wonder."

2009-06-19T13:48:00.010-04:00

Maybelline Mary Katherine Mary Ann Chestnut, also known as "Maybe," lives an unconventional life. Her mother, Chessy, is a former beauty pageant queen who makes a living training teen beauty queens. Maybe is not one of those teen queens. In fact, Maybe makes a point of being exactly the opposite of the girls her mother coaches. Chessy is getting married for the seventh time and Maybe has had enough. Following an awful incident with Jake (husband-to-be #7), Maybe decides to leave for California with her friends Hollywood (who is going to start college) and Ted on an adventure to find her father.

Upon arriving in California, Hollywood and Ted quickly assimilate into their new lives. Maybe, however, struggles. She can't find a place to stay, her belongings are stolen, and she doesn't really know how to go about finding her father. Hollywood quickly tires of having Ted and Maybe live in his dorm room, so they must find other accommodations. While Ted has found a job working for an aging starlet, he also finds Sammy (husband #2 and #4) who moved to California to pursue his career as a photographer. Maybe moves in with Sammy and finds a job. While living with Sammy, Maybe is forced to confront some difficult truths about her mother and herself, which, in the end just may make her stronger and repair her relationship with Chessy.

Lisa Yee's novel, Absolutely Maybe is now available from Scholastic.

"EMILY PLEASE FORGIVE ME"

2009-06-19T12:05:00.008-04:00

Emily has it all: a loving family, a great best friend, and she's involved in school activities. While her parents are on a trip, Emily has a party. In the middle of the party, her Aunt Jolie shows up. Emily thinks she's going to get in trouble, but the news Jolie brings is much worse: she tells Emily to turn on the TV and Emily finds that her parents have been killed in a plane crash. A reporter at the scene holds up a tray table on which her mother has written in lipstick, "EMILY PLEASE FORGIVE ME." Everyone wants to know: who is Emily? Emily wants to know: why does my mother need to be forgiven?

Now Emily is forced to leave her home in Pennsylvania and move in with her Aunt Jolie, AKA Jolie Jane, make-up artist to the stars. She enters an exclusive private school and begins to make friends with the other students, gets invited to exclusive parties, and tries to deal with her grief. However, can she truly move forward with her mother's cryptic apology hanging over her head?

Through bits and pieces of information she gathers from photographs and her mother's journals, Emily discovers her mother's secret. In Jennifer Jabaley's debut novel, Lipstick Apology, Emily comes face-to-face with the fact that we never really know our parents. Emily's mom was an artist. She painted and even worked in a New York City gallery before Emily was born. These things Emily knew, but she didn't know her mother's biggest secret. Now Emily has to decide: should she leave her mother's secret alone, or confront the truth?

Jennifer Jabaley's debut novel, Lipstick Apology, will be published on August 6, 2009.

PS The funny thing about this book: the whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking about how my husband and I traveled on different flights to California last summer because I couldn't stand the idea of being on a plane at the same time when we have small children. Funny enough, Jabaley tells on her website how a trip her sister took without her children inspired this story.

"I do want what I have, but if you don't reach for something more--I don't mean things, I mean more for yourself--how can you grow?"

2009-06-19T08:52:00.006-04:00

When I began my career as a librarian, I had taken one Young Adult Literature class and one Children's Literature class. They were both great, but certainly not enough to "cover" what I was going to need. One of the ways I became acquainted with what my students were really reading was paying attention to what they were checking out. As soon as I noticed a trend, I began reading the authors and titles. The first author on my radar was Pyhllis Reynolds Naylor. The middle school girls could not get enough of Alice, while the boys gravitated to Shiloh. I fell in love with Alice and have kept up with her "life in books," as well as the censorship and challenges that have plagued her growing pains. I was thrilled to find out that Naylor had a new title forthcoming and picked up an ARC of Faith, Hope, and Ivy June at ALA Midwinter in Denver.

Ivy June and her family live in Thunder Creek, Kentucky. The people there live simple lives, with many families relying on dangerous mining jobs as a source of income. Catherine and her family live in Lexington, Kentucky. They have a fancy house and Catherine attends private school. Both girls have been chosen to participate in an exchange program. They will stay in each other's homes, attend school together, and document their experiences to share with their respective classmates.

Both Ivy June and Catherine start the exchange with preconceived notions of what the other's life will be like. Although they both try to keep and open mind, they have both grown up with stereotypes about life in Thunder Creek vs life in Lexington. As the exchange begins, Ivy June settles into Catherine's home and school. She realizes that she can keep up with the work at school and enjoys the activities Catherine has planned for her, including seeing a musical and going horseback riding. However, she does notice that Catherine's family lives a life more secluded from one another and more hectic than her own. It's also interesting to get to know Catherine's friends. However, when Ivy June reveals one of Catherine's secrets to her friends, will their relationship survive?

During the second half of the exchange, Catherine comes to live with Ivy June and her Mammaw and Papaw Mosley. Because her parents' home is too crowded, Ivy June lives with her grandparents. They do not have an indoor bathroom or the luxuries that Catherine enjoys in her home. It is evident, though, that they are hard-working and happy people. Catherine adjusts to not being able to take a shower each day, as well as walking a long distance to catch the school bus, but is less accepted by Ivy June's best friend Shirl.

Just as Catherine becomes more comfortable, tragedy strikes both girls' families. They must work together to cope with their fears and have hope and faith that everything will turn out for the best. This is story of love in families, friendship, as well as one of learning to understand the similarities and differences among people. Faith, Hope, and Ivy June is now available from Random House.

PS My Phyllis Reynolds Naylor books now take up an entire shelf and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

I'm in!

2009-06-18T15:56:00.005-04:00

I've been doing more reading than writing lately, so I'm officially "in" on Bloggiesta! in order to get the posts I have been putting off done. I don't know if I can do 20+ hours in 48 as I have three young children and a working husband, but I'm going to log as many hours as I can--ya never know!

Here's a sneak peak at what I will be writing about:

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises

Girlfriend Material by Melissa Kantor

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

Feathers (audio) by Jacqueline Woodson

Whew! How did this happen to me? My stack of done, not written about, has grown while I finished school, baseball, softball, and Brownies. This should be an interesting weekend.

"I never liked history. And now I knew why. It's all about dead people."

2009-06-14T22:33:00.004-04:00

In Joanne Dahme's new novel, Tombstone Tea, Jessie has just moved to a new school in Philadelphia, near the Schuylkill River. Laurel Hill Charter School is named after and affiliated with the cemetery that has become a sculpture garden and park over the years. When Jessie accepts a dare to spend the night in the cemetery to become friends with girls in her new school, she meets Paul, a worker in the graveyard. He becomes her tour guide that first night and protects her from the "actors" that he claims are recreating the Tombstone Tea of years ago. When the actors turn out to not be what Jessie expects, she is confronted with new knowledge of her own abilities and a history lesson that is more alive than dead.

For the majority of the book, Jessie is our narrator. And while it is an interesting story, we learn more about the cemetery and its inhabitants then we ever really do about Jessie. We learn the most about Paul, and the most angry of the cemetery dwellers, Amy and her mother, Jenny.

This book is due to be released in September 2009.

"This time I truly mean it."

2009-06-10T19:31:00.004-04:00

I just finished Justine Larbalestier's new book, Liar.

Meet Micah. She's a liar. And she makes no bones about telling you that, right from the start. But she also promises that she is going to tell YOU the truth. But even that truth keeps shifting. The reader never really gets a sense of what is the truth and what is a lie and what is made up. Even after Micah telling us that she really IS telling the truth this time, we wonder. I mean, really. She IS a liar. What is to stop her from lying about lying?

The reader questions her family life, her friends, her relationship with her after hours boyfriend Zach. I can't say much more, because to talk about her lies too much will give away part of her truths too!

This book is due to be a available in October 2009.

Hungry for Catching Fire

2009-06-04T07:41:00.004-04:00

I, like many others, picked up a copy of Catching Fire, the second book in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series, at BEA. I couldn't wait to start it. And I was not disappointed! I can't really booktalk it, because the more I think about it, the less I can say that won't give away some major plot point or event. When a co-worker asked what it was about, I stuttered starts to maybe 3 different sentences before explaining that I really couldn't: I don't want to spoil it. It really is THAT good!

I only recently read the Hunger Games, in anticipation of the sequel, even though I have been hearing about it and reading about it since it came out. It was a short wait of only a few weeks then before I was able to read this second installment. About halfway through Catching Fire, I realized that it will likely be over a year before I even get my hands on the next book! So I started to slow down my reading, really savoring each page and each moment.

Catching Fire is certainly worth the wait, even for those who have been waiting longer than I have (at least that is my guess). I LOVED it. And I love Katniss more, if that is even possible. I just want to know what is going to happen next!

This book is due to be published on September 1, 2009.

Books in the Wild: Twenty Boy Summer

2009-05-27T17:54:00.003-04:00

Sarah Ockler, author of Twenty Boy Summer, is offering a contest for those who spot her new book "in the wild." I spotted it today at Barnes and Noble in Portage. I'll be checking my local indie tomorrow. Hope to see lots of pictures on Sarah's map!

"Camp is still torture. Take pity on me. Peace, Love, and Desperation, Laney."

2009-05-24T21:59:00.007-04:00

There is nothing I love more than a book about camp. Seriously. As soon as I found out about Slept Away by Julie Kraut, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. Laney Parker is a true New Yorker who loves the city. She is trying to figure out how to spend her summer and is sure she can come up with a great plan. However, her mother and her mother's boyfriend have a different idea. They decide that Laney should experience a summer at camp, away from the city. They can't be serious, can they?

Yes, they can. Laney is in denial and believes that her mother will change her mind, but she ends up on a bus to camp with a duffel bag full of strange neon outfits (including culottes!) Laney finds herself spending the summer in a bunk with an endlessly cheerful counselor, Mandi, who is enthusiastic about "the rules," and three bunkmates (Hayden, Aiden, and Aidan) who decide immediately that they do not like her. She is thrust into activities that are far out of her comfort zone and cut off from her ever-present forms of electronic communication. Her only hope is Sylvie, the final camper in her bunk. Although Sylvie appears awkward at first, this may be a chance for Laney to get past appearances and see what lies underneath the exterior. Laney also finds that Ryan, one of the outsiders from home, is popular and sought-after at camp, another revelation which may just change how Laney views the world.

I found myself laughing out loud at several points throughout this book. Kraut's snarky sense of humor is very similar to mine and I frequently said to myself, "Oh, yeah, that's so the camp experience." Slept Away, which will be released on May 26, 2009, is a must-read for campers, former campers, and wannabes alike.

ps I owe Julie Kraut a s'more--how do you mail one? Also, her blog is very interesting--she has recently spent time working at an orphanage in Africa and has written about the experience. Enjoy!

"There are days when everything changes, and this was one of those days."

2009-05-24T19:20:00.007-04:00

I was intrigued when I read the back cover blurb of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me and I quickly got into the story of twelve year old Miranda. Then a former co-worker saw it in my car and said "OH I heard about this book, how is it?" I told her honestly that I wasn't very far into it, but I was enjoying it.

It's set in late 1970s New York City and Miranda's mom is preparing as a contestant for the $20,000 Pyramid, a show that my entire family watched when I was a kid. So immediately, I felt connected to this young girl.

But there is much more to Miranda's story. Her favorite book is A Wrinkle in Time and she carries a worn out copy with her. Her best friend Sal suddenly needs a break from their friendship after getting punched by a new boy, who we later learn is Marcus. Miranda makes other friends and learns that maybe Marcus isn't as awful as she thought he must be. Marcus and Miranda end up talking about A Wrinkle in Time and the possibilities of time travel.

Miranda gets 4 mysterious letters that tell her she will save someone's life. But the writer of the letters knows things that no one else knows, in detail. And Miranda doesn't know who she is supposed to save. A lot for a 12 year old to unravel on her own. As she works through her friendships and the mystery of the notes, Miranda starts to grow up and realize what is truly important.

A pleasure to read and to think about . . . this book will be released on July 14, 2009.

"This was my family's story, and there was only one person who could tell me the truth."

2009-05-16T22:20:00.005-04:00

I love debut fiction. Sometimes its the best work of that author but I think that it is often an indicator of authors who will be really great. It's almost like a promise. That's how I am feeling about Megan Frazer's debut, Secrets of Truth & Beauty, due out July 7, 2009: a promise of more great stories to come.

Dara Cohen is a junior in high school. It starts with one English assignment: create a multimedia presentation of your autobiography. When Dara uses footage from the pageant she was in (and won) when she was 7 and uses the audio of her mom and other stage parents as the voiceover, her world starts to fall apart. She is kicked out of school; she is fighting with her parents; and she decides to call her long-lost sister Rachel. When Dara leaves Maine to spend the summer with her sister in Vermont, she learns who she really is and what is truly important.

Dara is believable and likable. Ms. Frazer crafts a story that is not only about Dara but about society's perception and treatment of overweight people and the concept of body image. A quick read that makes you want to know about Dara, her sister and their family, both biological and the one of their own creation.

"Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you. Does that make sense?"

2009-05-11T07:42:00.005-04:00

Mia is talented. In fact, she has auditioned to play the cello at Julliard--and she will probably get in. But one day changes everything. Mia and her family go for a drive on a snowy morning to visit some friends. There is an accident. Now Mia is faced with a horrible choice: stay and feel the suffering and pain of deep loss or go and never again experience the wonders of her life.

Told in Mia's voice, If I Stay alternates from the present to flashes of the past where she describes various events such as how she and Kim became best friends, how Adam became her boyfriend, what caused her father to finally grow up, how she came to play the cello, and details about the relationship she has with her little brother. These alternating scenes make this book even more powerful--it's hard to let someone go when you know all the amazing details that make up her life.

When I started to read If I Stay by Gayle Forman, I was immediately sucked into Mia's life. I made the "oh my gosh I can't believe it" noise out loud (and got caught by a kid . . . ) at about page 11 or 12 and then I had to decide what to do: put it down or read until I reached the end. Yes, it's one of those books. I had to put it down because I didn't have enough time to sit still and finish it all at once, but I quickly devoured it later. I even began wondering about Mia's later life in my head. No, I don't imagine that there will be a sequal (or that I could even stand to read it?), but Mia's voice will stick with me and I think people will continue talking about this book.

**ps Gayle Forman's If I Stay has hit the NYT Bestseller List--what a great honor for a fantastic book!

"But things were starting to look up. Funny how, at the time, I really did believe that. As it turned out, however, I couldn't have been more wrong."

2009-05-09T20:52:00.022-04:00

As soon as I finished Airhead by Meg Cabot, I started wanting the next book, Being Nikki, to be available. I was going through a series phase and I wanted the next book--which, of course, wasn't due to be published for more than a year! Finally, as of May 5, 2009, Em Watts is officially back (in Nikki Howard's body) to continue the story. (** if you haven't read Airhead, there may be a few spoilers here--you've been warned!**)

At the end of Airhead, Em Watts is just beginning to realize that she is going to have to keep her secret and live Nikki Howard's life or risk the chance that her family will lose everything they have to Stark Enterprises. Being Nikki begins with poor Em at a photo shoot for yet another Stark product. She is cold, wet, and unhappy, but knows she must go along to protect her family. She is also working hard to avoid Brandon Stark, Nikki's ex boyfriend with whom she does not want to have a relationship. While she is at the photo shoot, a mysterious stranger visits her apartment building. Nikki's roommate gives her a physical description and she's sure it's Christopher, her long-time friend. However, upon returning home, she finds out that it's someone else. Someone Nikki would have known, but Em doesn't have a clue who he is.

His appearance drags Em into a mystery which causes her to begin a search for answers to questions that she had not considered. Why is someone getting text messages that she did not send, yet appear to be signed by her? Where is Nikki Howard's family? Why is Stark listening in on all her conversations and watching her every move? What really happened on the day Nikki died and Em was injured? Did Nikki Howard have secrets that may have led to her demise? Em has to try to find answers while continuing Nikki's career, going to high school, spending time with her family, and keeping the biggest secret of her life.

Just when I thought I might find out the answer to Em's questions, one BIG Stark secret was revealed and then the book ended--with a cliffhanger. I felt the same way at the end of Being Nikki as I did at the end of Airhead. I can't wait for the next (final?) installment, Runaway, to be published!

Kalamazoo Public Library Millage Renewal Vote Today!

2009-05-05T06:31:00.010-04:00

There are lots of issues that are important to people; the library is my cause. The Kalamazoo Public Library is asking for a renewal of its current millage for 20 years. I rely heavily on the public library in both my personal and work lives, but I'm not sure if everyone knows just how amazing KPL is and the services public libraries offer to their communities.

My children (yes, that's them!) love going to the various branches of the library to enjoy not only the special programming, but the unique facilities (their favorite activities include creating puppet shows and completing puzzles!) and kind, caring librarians and staff members who always offer amazing book suggestions and wonderful service. Public libraries often offer author and illustrator visits to their communities. In the picture above, my son is wearing a t-shirt he got during the Nerdfighter Gift Exchange while visiting a stop on John Green and Hank Green's Nerdfighting Tour, an event also sponsored by a public library (Ann Arbor District Library). Thanks to funding and support from KPL, my children met Paul O. Zelinsky and they count Awful Ogre's Awful Day and The Wheels on the Bus amongst their favorite books to read aloud. Each summer, my children participate in KPL's Summer Reading Program and they love getting the opportunity to choose new books and tell the librarians all about what they have been reading.

In my professional life, I know I can count on the KPL librarians to work collaboratively on author visits, programming, and book selection. Sharon Flake and Sharon Draper have visited my students thanks to KPL. Draper's fall visit in 2008, in conjunction with an all-school read, spurred a frenzy of reading which has continued throughout the school year. Students clamour for books both written by Draper and like those she writes. The KPL librarians also spend time promoting the Summer Reading Games to all my students which is so important in order to avoid summer slide. There are frequently books that I am unable to purchase for my students. I know that I can send them to KPL for additional resources that extend beyond my budget. I also check out books from the public library in order to read them before purchasing them for my collection in order to stretch my budget dollars and purchase the most appropriate materials.

Public libraries level the playing field in communities. There are computers with Internet access, allowing job-seekers to find resources they need to empower themselves. Families can enjoy resources and programming selected and planned for their enjoyment. I calculated the cost of the books our family has read in the past year. Without our public library, the cost would have been over $4,000. That is books alone. No programs, concerts, puppets, or professional service. The millage will cost our family about $200 per year, all of which we are already paying since this is a renewal. There is no question that we're getting a bargain. I urge you to support your local public library--and VOTE YES if you live in the Kalamazoo Public Library District. It's amazing what you will find there!

"Because there's no way on earth she's going to make it through college unless she grows some serious ovaries and turns this wreck around."

2009-05-03T21:39:00.011-04:00

In Lisa McMann's Wake, Janie has a problem: since she was eight years old, she has been getting sucked into other people's dreams. Every time someone falls asleep around her, she ends up witnessing their dreams--and their nightmares. It happens in school, at her job, even on bus trips. Sometimes its mild and she can handle it, but sometimes Janie appears to pass out and have seizures, which can be pretty embarrassing. If this isn't enough, Janie is poor and lives with her alcoholic mother who does not seem to notice what is happening to her. Janie wants better for herself, so she works hard at school and her job.

Job? Yes. Janie works as much as she can. It's important for her to earn money for college. Plus, most of the people at the nursing home tend not to dream, but when she is drawn into the dream of one special patient, Miss Stubin, she begins to wonder if she is the only person who can see others' dreams. If other people can do this, is there a way to control it? That would certainly change Janie's life for the better.

Janie's neighbor Cabel also leads a tough life. She knows he must struggle as much as she does because they both live on the South side of town. However, when she accidentally ends up in one of his dreams, Janie finds out some painful truths about Cabel's life. Their friendship turned romance blooms and then breaks apart as Janie struggles with the dreams. Can she trust Cabel with her secret? Can he trust her with his?

Even the possibility that one person can see into another's dreams and nightmares is pretty creepy. I woke up this morning remembering my dream and thinking about what it would be like if I knew someone else had seen it too. Creepy. The sequel to Lisa McCann's Wake, Fade, is now available and the final book in the trilogy, Gone will be available in February, 2010.

Buy Indie Day!

2009-05-01T21:24:00.009-04:00

It's Buy Indie Day today, so I celebrated! As a librarian, I often borrow books from the library (shocking, I know) and tend to buy fewer books. However, there is a great children's bookstore in Kalamazoo called Bookbug and I need to read Wake by Lisa McMann (who is originally from Holland, Michigan--just a bit north of Kalamazoo for those keeping track on their hand maps!) for a little project, so today was the perfect day to pick it up. Tonight was Brownies and baseball, so I haven't started it yet, but I'll report back when I'm done. If you didn't do it today, take the opportunity this weekend to check out your local independent bookseller!

Coming Soon!

2009-04-30T19:58:00.011-04:00

Being a Middle School Librarian IS all it's cracked up to be. Seriously. There isn't a sparkly, pink book that I can't read, always using the disclaimer, "It's for work." It's especially fun to connect the right kid with the right book. This week I have had two girls in looking for the same book, Airhead by Meg Cabot. One checked it out and the other went on the waiting list. The good news is, the first girl read fast. She came back today and said, "Remember yesterday when I checked this out and you said you have Being Nikki?" Well, yes, in fact, I do have Being Nikki. Meg Cabot has asked that reviews of her new book be held until its release date (May 5!) in order to avoid spoilers (which we all HATE!!). But, I can tell you I have read it (and shared it!) and I loved reading more about Em Watts and Nikki Howard. So, come back May 5, 2009 and check it out!

(PS the envelope the book arrived in was stamped with the lovely statement above. I'd like to think so!)

"I can't wait to tell them. And I can't wait for the day when adults take kids seriously."

2009-04-25T22:56:00.012-04:00

In honor of Earth Day, spring, and My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald, we have changed our look--we hope you enjoy it! Coming soon: an awesome picture of us somewhere in Chicago! I have been reading a lot of great debut fiction in the past month and I'm especially happy to come across a title which includes three great qualities: 1. It's appropriate for kids in Middle School (where I spend most of my time!), 2. It addresses several important issues without being obnoxious, and 3. It has a cool, kick-butt girl protagonist.

Lucy Desberg's family is in trouble. Big trouble. They own and operate a local pharmacy, but business is not good. Her mother and grandmother are unable to pay their bills and there is a chance that they will lose their livelihood. Lucy has always loved owning the pharmacy and spending her time working there. She can't imagine their lives without it. While doing research for the Earth Club, which her best friend Sunny has encouraged her to join, Lucy comes across a local grant for businesses that are willing to "go green." Although she sees the grant as an opportunity to save her family's business, no one but her sister Claudia, who is going to school hundreds of miles away, and Sunny will take her seriously.

My Life in Pink & Green addresses the idea of supporting local businesses in a meaningful way, rather than just paying lip service to shopping locally. Lucy works to make the experience of shopping at Old Mill Pharmacy unique to their customers. She continues on, even when the adults around her seem to think she's "cute" rather than serious. Can she come up with the perfect idea for the grant? Will the adults who will ultimately make the final decisions take her ideas seriously? Is it too late to save Lucy's home and family business?

Lisa Greenwald's My Life in Pink and Green was published March 1, 2009.

"But deep at the bottom of our conflicting desires and confusions there is the sense of what is right and what is wrong."

2009-04-20T21:20:00.021-04:00

Ok, ok, I'm probably the last person to read Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. I know this because I read about it here and here. Then the amazing Karen S-M, who has a Galley Group at KPL, told me I had to read it and, while I was picking it up at the library, I ran into Ed Spicer and we chatted about it--he also wrote about it here. So, I read it. And I stand amazed.

Marcelo is a teen with Asperger's Syndrome. He craves his routine and has a "special interest" in religion. It is his dream to spend the summer before his last year in high school working with the ponies at the special school he has always attended. His father, however, insists that Marcelo should work at his law firm to gain experience in the "real world." While Marcelo is not happy with this turn of events, he is glad that he will be allowed to choose whether to attend his familiar school or the regular high school during his senior year if he completes the tasks set before him throughout the summer.

While working at his father's firm, Marcelo discovers that the real world is much different than the life he has been living. He is confronted with trying to understand the world in a different way. He has to witness and try to make sense of sexist behavior, ethical dilemmas, and being forced to make decisions about things he never imagined. He also has to figure out how to work with Jasmine, his supervisor in the mail room, as well as Wendell, the offensive son of his father's partner.

However, it wasn't just the plot, which was part mystery, part legal drama (and just maybe a little romance?) which caught my attention. I was even more drawn in by the language (Marcelo frequently slips into the third person) and the characters. Every time I put the book down I kept thinking, "What if?" and, "But how?" and, "If he does . . .." It was ridiculous, but I couldn't get Marcelo out of my head. I had to keep saying to myself, "It's ok, he's a paper person!"

Will Marcelo make it in the "real world?" Will his life be different after he spends the summer working for his father? Marcelo in the Real World was published March 1, 2009.

"It was brand new. Just like I wanted my life to be."

2009-04-17T22:27:00.004-04:00

I am not a plant person. I often tell the story about how I thought about majoring in Biology so that I could become a nurse but knew I would never pass botany because my college only offered it at 8 am. The combination of an early morning class and plants?? That was enough to make me re-think my career plans.

But this book, Hothouse Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin, is about so much more than the plants!

Meet Lila Grace Nova. She is a recently divorced ad exec who is ready to start her life over. She meets a man, who sells her a plant. A tropical plant, a bird-of-paradise. And she will never be the same. Lila's misplaced trust leads her down a path with which she is very unfamiliar. Follow Lila as she leaves New York because of her guilt and strange feeling pulling her to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Her journey is an educational excursion about the plants that comprise the elusive, mythical 9 plants of desire. At the same time Lila's on a spiritual path to rediscover who she really is.

I didn't want to put this book down! I woke up in the morning (all 2 days it took me to read) and felt that I had to read a chapter before getting up to start my day. I needed to know what was going to happen with Lila, Armand, Sonali and Diego.

Everywhere this book is being described as Eat, Pray, Love meets The Orchid Thief. This book is due to be published on June 16, 2009. The film rights have also been purchased by Julia Roberts and she plans to star as Lila. This book is definitely not one to miss!!

"It happened and it was impossible and beautiful and then it ended before it even really began, leaving nothing behind but secrets and broken hearts."

2009-04-13T14:14:00.005-04:00

I'll admit it: when I saw the title Twenty Boy Summer, I thought I was getting a fun, light read like 24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley. However, Sarah Ockler's debut novel is much more than a fun boy-searching romp. On Anna's birthday, she and her best friend Matt share a kiss. One simple kiss changes everything. They begin sneaking out at night to steal moments together. It's what Anna has been longing for. However, Anna's other best friend is Matt's sister Frankie. They are an inseparable trio. Matt makes Anna promise not to tell Frankie about their relationship--he wants to do this himself on their vacation in California. In a tragic turn of events, Matt suddenly dies before he has a chance to tell Frankie about his feelings for Anna. Anna and Frankie are caught in the grief of Matt's death with an unspoken secret creating a distance between them. Anna has promised Matt, so she is left to wonder what might have been and suffer the loss of the unknown on her own through a difficult year.

Then, the following summer, Frankie's parents decide to help heal the wounds by taking the girls back to the family vacation home in California--the trip that Matt and Frankie were supposed to take the year before. Frankie, who has gotten out of control over the year, challenges Anna to a "20 boy summer." They should meet and date 20 boys on their carefree vacation. Anna hesitantly agrees. Throughout their days at the beach, Anna confronts the difficult task of moving beyond her grief and the reality of revealing her secret to Frankie. This is a story of loss and grief, for sure, but also a story of how healing begins and what friendship means. Twenty Boy Summer will be published June 1, 2009.

"The place might need to change once in a while, but the part that was the same was the three of us. Together."

2009-04-11T19:32:00.014-04:00

When your parents name you Harper Lee, you have a lot to live up to, straight from birth. Fortunately, Harper Lee Morgan loves to write poetry and the words of her poems form themselves in her head, begging to be written on paper. In Also Known As Harper, Harper's family is going through hard times. After her father leaves, the family is evicted from their rental home and forced to find shelter in a local motel. At the motel, Harper and her brother Hemingway meet other families who are also struggling. In fact, many of the families live in a tent city in the woods. While Harper's mother tries to find employment, she is forced to stay home from school with her brother, missing the school's poetry contest, which she is sure she can win this year.

In her debut novel, Ann Haywood Leal brings to light the invisible homeless who are amongst us every day. People who work hard, but aren't able to save enough money to keep themselves off the streets. As Harper's mother explains, "Houses and apartments cost money. You need first and last months' rent and a damage deposit, right up front. And you need deposits for the electric company and the phone company." However, Leal also displays the humanity of those who help the homeless, offering showers, sharing what they have, and how they often rely on kindness and one another to keep their secrets safe. Also Known As Harper will be published May 26, 2009.

"The past was a lot easier to imagine than the future."

2009-04-11T10:28:00.010-04:00

At Midwinter in Denver, Ann Brashares was at the Random House display signing copies of 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows. My friend Kristin and I were thrilled to be able to meet Ann and enjoy the newest "sisterhood" saga. She was gracious enough to pose for this photo while she signed Kristin's book. This book is going to cause excitement among Sisterhood fans--even the lady at the post office in Denver was excited when I told her about getting my copy!

Polly, Jo, and Ama became fast, yet unlikely, friends when their parents forgot to pick them up after school on the first day of third grade. After waiting as long as they could stand, the girls broke free of the school and walked one another home, carrying the baby willow trees they received in science class. They cared for the trees over the coming years and cemented their friendship. However, middle school has tested their ability to stay close.

Jo has a new and more sophisticated group of friends. She wears the latest fashions and hangs out with the beautiful people. She and her mother are planning to spend the summer at their beach house where she will work as a bus person at a tourist restaurant. Is this a relaxing summer vacation or a way to hide from their troubles? Jo's family is struggling, but when she kisses a mysterious boy, will her summer suddenly become interesting?

Ama is focused. Her sister entered Princeton two years early and her parents have very high expectations. She loves getting "A's" and following the narrow path forged by her smart and hard-working sister. She has applied for a scholarship to attend a summer academic program and will surely be accepted. However, when the program turns out to be the exact opposite of what she expects, will she be able to see through her disappointment and enjoy the new challenges she encounters?

Polly wants to change. She thinks she must or she will be left behind by her friends. If she can just get her mom to let her go to modeling camp, she will become more glamorous. People will look at her and pay attention to her. Will Polly's plan work?

The girls start the summer far from the close friendship they once shared. However, their experiences apart just might be able to draw them closer together. 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows was released on January 13, 2009.

"Am I nuts, or did my boyfriend just fly?"

2009-04-10T12:27:00.007-04:00

Morgan Sparks is psychic. She can tell your future. You might not like it, but she'll tell you the truth. And she's never wrong. She and her boyfriend Cam have always been together. Literally, they were born on the same day and have lived next door to one another ever since. It's almost as if they were meant to be together. Almost. As their sixteenth birthday approaches, Morgan is planning an amazing Sweet Sixteen party for them. However, strange things start to happen to Cam--is he really sprouting wings and shrinking? Then unexpected visitors show up next door claiming that Cam must return to Otherworld and his rightful place as King of the Fairies. What will Morgan's visions show her? Is she willing to give up her true love? It seems like every book I pick up lately has some sort of love triangle pulling the characters in several directions and Fairy Tale (the title has been changed from Fairy Lust since the ARCs were printed--fortunately the GORGEOUS cover, which will draw in many readers, was not changed) by Cyn Balog is no exception. Will Morgan follow her heart? Maybe her heart is wrong. This is a fun read with a little fantasy and a little romance. Fairy Tale, Cyn Balog's debut YA novel, will be realeased June 23, 2009.

Two for Tuesday!

2009-04-07T23:39:00.014-04:00

Confession: I. LOVE. CAMP. Seriously, it's kind of ridiculous. I think I only missed going to summer camp two summers from the time I was in first grade until I got married. I went to camp, worked at camp, and read books about camp. The first book I can remember purchasing for myself is I Want To Go Home! by Gordon Korman. I checked out Bummer Summer by Ann M. Martin so many times that the library should have just given it to me. I did my eighth grade English book report on Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood by Ellen Conford. This explains my excitement about two ARCs I picked up at ALA Midwinter in Denver: Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita and The Lost Summer by Kathryn Williams. In honor of the fact that it's spring break and summer, along with all its fun camp possibilities, is close at hand, I'm writing about BOTH of these books today!

In Sleepaway Girls, Sam has never been to camp before. However, she knows her mom is going to be busy working all summer and she doesn't want to spend the summer watching her best friend Mallory drool all over her boyfriend Mark, so she decides to become a CIT at Whispering Pines. Ashley, the daughter of Whispering Pines' director, is used to getting lots of attention. She is not thrilled to have Sam join the camp staff--especially when Sam is recognized from a commercial she did for her mom's ad agency. Add to this a love triangle--does Sam like Hunter? Will Hunter like her back? Wait, why is Cole paying so much attention to Sam? And, learning all the "rules" of camp which will allow her to function for the summer will keep Sam very busy. Sam makes new friends and learns that she can be more independent and less of a doormat during her summer at camp. Calonita's new title will be released May 1, 2009.

Helena, in The Lost Summer, unlike Sam, has been going to the same camp each summer for nine years. Southpoint is her home. She is finally old enough to be a junior counselor, but her best friend Katie Bell is a bit younger and must stay a camper for the summer. Will their friendship be strong enough to bridge the gap between Helena's new role and Katie Bell's camper status? Hel loves the challenge of working with her campers. She is included in nighttime counselor activities that were previously off-limits to her such as sneaking off to meet up with counselors from the boys' camp on the other side of the lake. Helena has had a crush on Ransome for years. He has been unattainable. However, this summer he begins paying more attention to her and she wonders if they might possibly have more that just a little flirtation. Several struggles throughout the summer, as well as one near-tragedy, change the way Helena views camp forever. Williams' The Lost Summer will be released July 14, 2009.

Oh, by the way, if you can get me a copy of Slept Away by Julie Kraut, there's a s'more in it for you. Seriously.

"The sun will rise tomorrow."

2009-04-06T10:31:00.007-04:00

Hannah is invisible. She works hard at staying invisible in order to avoid the reality show that her life has become. Although her parents never married, she still has to deal with her father who is an Internet celebrity, in his seventies, with "special girls" in their late teens and 20's who surround his 24/7 party lifestyle. Her mom uses her former B-list celebrity status to run her own website on which she wears lingerie and chats with her "fans." It makes sense to hide from that kind of chaos.

At the same time, Hannah likes Josh--he's the ideal unattainable boy. Perfect in every way . . . or at least that seems to be the case. They work together at a call center and Hannah has plenty of time to study Josh. He seems so deep and interesting and, for some reason, he starts bringing her little gifts. Could it be that he likes her?

Finn is more of a goofy sidekick. Annoying Hannah by throwing notes at her in class and entertaining her through the boredom of the call center job. He questions Josh's sincerity and depth and tries to help Hannah determine how to handle her crazy circumstances. Is Finn a better match for Hannah?

Though a series of events surrounding Hannah visiting her father, we find out why she chooses to have no contact with him. We also get to see the burden of sadness her mother carries. Will Hannah choose Josh or Finn? Will she remain invisible? Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott was released in March 2009.

PS I received the copy of this book that I reviewed from Elizabeth Scott via the YALSA-BK listserv. This generous donation will be added to my library for my students to enjoy! Thanks, Elizabeth!

"I've turned into a one-episode-only girl."

2009-04-02T10:56:00.004-04:00

I've been noticing lately that I have a zombie theme thing going on. I started reading Jailbait Zombie and had to set it aside for another reading obligation. Afterwards, I picked up Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby instead. (I've also been discussing zombies, randomly, with other librarian colleagues lately, especially in regards to the new "Jane Austen" Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).

But Amanda Ashby's book was the perfect zombie choice for me at the moment. It is a YA book, about high school and fitting in. However, how many people can say that they have turned their entire senior class into zombies accidentally by performing a love spell on your date for the prom? At first Mia notices that everyone is being really nice to her (and, being kind of a nerd, she enjoys the attention). Then the new boy in school, Chase, informs her that everyone is literally trying to fatten her up because she is the queen of the zombies she has created . . . which means she is top on their list to eat!

Mia is smart and unlucky. She is a huge fan of Buffy and Angel and has all these ideas about how the zombie curse SHOULD be fixed. But Chase has an inside track to these things and sets about trying to help Mia undo the spell and save the senior class.

This book was published on March 5, 2009.

"You gotta know this stuff. And the earlier, the better. Life ain't always fair, and for some it's more unfair than others."

2009-03-31T18:13:00.007-04:00

Scott Loring Sanders' new title, Gray Baby, begins with eight year old Clifton witnessing his African American father being beaten to death by two white police officers. This is a tragic beginning to what I think is a hopeful story. Following his father's death, the story moves forward eight years and Clifton's life has gotten only worse. Being biracial in a town that is not accepting, having a mother who is both depressed and an alcoholic, and living on the fringes of town with no one to really pay attention to him, Clifton thinks he will have a mundane summer. However, several events happen that change his life forever. First, he longs for a connection to the world, so he places notes in his mother's empty wine bottles and drops them in the river. The response he gets brings his story full circle in many ways. Second, he witnesses a kidnapping and may be the only person who can save the victim. But, can he put aside the fear he has had since his father's death? Finally, his mother is arrested for a DUI and sent to rehab, which forces Clifton to confront a family he has never met. There are so many layers of sadness to this book, yet somehow I felt hopful throughout the whole story. Even though many horrible events have taken place in Clifton's life, Loring somehow gave me the feeling that it would get better. Clifton would make it--and be better for the experiences he survived. According to the ARC, Gray Baby will be released in June 2009.

"I wondered if people would be happier if they just were who they really were, if they didn't try and find themselves in other people."

2009-03-27T19:13:00.007-04:00

Dade Hamilton is in love. Unfortunately, the boy he loves, Pablo, has a girlfriend and a large group of friends who are homophobic. The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd follows Dade in his last summer before college as he realizes Pablo is not going to acknowledge their relationship. When Dade meets Alex, though, he finds someone with whom he can truly connect. Many GLBT individuals who have suffered bigotry may relate to Pablo's confusion and frustration which continue throughout the book. Nick Burd's first novel will be released May 14, 2009.

"You can overcome your fears, you can change, you can make life into what you've always wanted it to be. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon. So hang in."

2009-03-22T23:00:00.005-04:00

Marisa wants to date Derek. He's perfect boyfriend material. There's only one problem: he's dating Sierra. Marisa's best friend Sterling has always been there, through boyfriendless nights and a bout with depression, they can count on each other. Nash, Marisa's next door neighbor, was a close friend, but they have drifted apart over the years. Marisa feels lucky because her family is normal--she has happily married parents. What will happen to these relationships throughout the coming school year? Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti, follows Marisa through her Sophomore year of high school. She begins the year with a plan to change herself, to make more friends, and to avoid sinking back into the depression that took over her life a year before. But, what happens when the plans you make don't turn out the way you want them to? What if the things you want aren't as good as you think they will be? Find out when Waiting for You is released on May 14, 2009.

"Physical beauty wasn't the same as True Beauty, any more than pretty ugly meant truly ugly or Magnetic North meant True North."

2009-03-21T13:38:00.010-04:00

Few books can make me cry and even fewer can make me cry more than once. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley is one of those books. Terra Cooper, the main character, seems perfect. Tall, thin, blonde=beautiful. Her face, however, is half covered with a port wine birthmark that she carefully covers with layers of make-up each day. Terra, an artist, has been made to feel inadquate by her father for her entire life; she's not pretty enough, not smart enough, and not talented enough, according to his standards. She is working toward one goal: escaping her father and the small town in which they live. However, even though she works to control her future, she thinks she is powerless to the commands of her father. When Terra and her mother unexpetedly meet Norah and her son Jacob, they decide to journey to China to visit Terra's brother and the orphanage from which Jacob was adopted. Will Terra and her mother realize that they don't have to suffer the terror under which they have been living? There are scenes between Terra and her family that made me want to throw this book because I was so gripped by the writing and the strange understanding of what one person can do to another with words alone. The relationships between Terra and her family, as well as her friendship with Jacob, are complex and interesting and they made me want to read this cover to cover in one sitting. North of Beautiful was published in February, 2009.

"I try not to laugh. Three days off, laying around the house. I'm really getting punished now."

2009-03-19T07:39:00.006-04:00

R.D. Mitchell is 15. He doesn't really care that he is repeating eighth grade. He knows that through social promotion he will be automatically sent to high school when he turns 16. No problem. Then R.D. comes home to find that Earl, his Grandma's ex-boyfriend, with whom he lives, has died unexpectedly. Going to a group home would be bad and no one really wants a teenage foster kid, so R.D. decides to keep Earl's death a secret and pretend that his Grandma is back to take care of them due to the illness. Janet Nichols Lynch captures the frustration of being hungry and not understanding the adult world as R.D. tries to take care of himself and keep his secret. Some things seem a little too easy, for example, R.D. takes over Earl's at-home car repair business to make money and most of the adults just drop off their cars and go along with it. However, kids will be drawn in by the opening scene--a fight on the first day of school--and probably won't put this page-turner down. Messed Up by Janet Nichols Lynch is now available from Holiday House Books for Young People.

"Something tells me it may never truly be over."

2009-03-18T22:46:00.005-04:00

Skeleton Creek is the first book in an anticipated series by Patrick Carman, best selling author of the Ahterton trilogy and Land of Elyon series. Honestly, I had never read him before. And at first, I had a hard time with this book because of the typeface. It is all capital letters and I felt like I was moving so slowly though it. BUT then! I was totally sucked in!

This book is really interesting for a number of reasons . . .
First, it is actually a story in 2 parts. You are reading Ryan's part as if he is keeping a journal (hence the all caps). Interspersed in his journal entries are the passwords to see the videos his best friend Sarah is putting up on her website. Yeah. Really. So you go to sarahfincher.com and enter the right passwords to see the video clips in the right order. Part urban legend, part ghost story, the videos give this a very Blair Witch kind of feel . . . and thats a good thing! There are some cool things on Patrick Carman's website, like a video news reel of how he came up with this idea to marry the book with online content. You can't have one without the other, you need both pieces to get the whole story!

Next reason, its creepy. And I LOVE creepy. When I started reading and watched the first few videos I was a little surprised. Not scared or anything but just impressed by the concept and the execution of the videos.

Final reason (at least as far as this post goes): it makes me not want to wait until October for the next installment! I won't say why (I HATE spoilers!) but I want to know what happens next!

This book was released on February 10, 2009.

"Without the big sisters, where would the little sisters be? Nowhere."

2009-03-17T22:02:00.005-04:00

Lauren Myracle never disappoints and her new book, Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks, is no exception. Myracle shares the story of Carly and Anna, sisters who are only a year apart in age. When Carly goes away to work for the summer, she returns to find that Anna has grown breasts and is "hot." Always the protective big sister, Carly struggles with the changes Anna is experiencing in her first year of high school. Their relationship is further complicated by their father, who can harm his daughters with what he thinks are little jokes, but are truly jabs at their expense. In a story of what it really means to be sisters, Carly discovers that she doesn't always have to make the rules. And, they both find out that if all else fails, they can "just paddle harder!" I was first attracted to this title by its cover and I'm not alone. In fact, I had it on my circulation desk today and at least 10 different kids tried to take it. I promised I'd finish tonight so they could have it! If you, too, judge a book by its cover, check out this great site that provides insight into children's and YA cover art. This book will be available on May 14, 2009.

"It is nothing less than astonishing that her new world -- so far from brave -- has such a person in it."

2009-03-17T14:48:00.004-04:00

Willow by Julia Hoban is a book I debated picking up a few days ago when I was ready for something new to read. I knew it was going to be sad and frankly, a little hard to read. I knew this because Willow is a cutter. And her parents died. Not only did her parents die, she was driving the car when both her parents were killed in a car crash. Talk about sad! But immediately you want to know Willow. You know she is in pain and is inflicting physical pain in an effort to stop the emotional pain, to deaden it.

I was surprisingly overwhelmed by this book. I cried towards the end. And while I thought that the ends were wrapped up a little too easily (understandable really), I could FEEL where Willow was coming from, what was at the root of her grief and pain. And why at 17 she couldn't see there was another way. While I'm not that familiar with the ins and outs of cutting (a form of self-injury, where cuts are made usually on the wrists, arms, belly, etc, affecting more girls than boys), I do know people who have been cutters. Without knowing first hand the experience of cutting, I think that Julia Hoban does a good job of writing about a girl and why she cuts and what she thinks she is getting out of it.
This book is due to be released on April 2, 2009.

Barry-oke!

2009-03-16T17:14:00.003-04:00

I wrote about the conclusion of the Jessica Darling series, Perfect Fifths, a few weeks ago. If you are a fan of this series, you know that Barry Manilow gets his fair share of shout-outs throughout Jessica and Marcus' relationship. In what can only be described as one of the most brave AND amazing promo YouTube videos I have ever seen, Megan performs "Mandy" in her very own style . . . Barry-oke! Go Megan!!

"She had always had a perverse sense of humor, and it had become even more twisted over the past year . . ."

2009-03-16T16:34:00.009-04:00

Jake Wizner's new book, Castration Celebration, is written in the voices of Olivia and Max, two students spending the summer in an arts program at Yale. Before coming to Yale, Olivia walked in on her father in a compromising position with one of his students and has decided to base her summer work, a musical she is writing, on what she thinks should happen to men who cheat--castration. She also swears off boys for the summer. Max, an actor, falls instantly for Olivia and the conflict begins. Much of the book is written as Olivia's musical (including songs!) and the characters she writes mirror herself and her friends in many ways. The language is irreverent and funny, but I did not find it as laugh out loud hilarious as Wizner's first book, Spanking Shakespeare. You will be able to read and judge for yourself when this book is released in May 2009.

Wintergirls Contest!!

2009-03-09T22:32:00.002-04:00

Laurie Halse Anderson is celebrating the release of Wintergirls by giving away laptop skins of the cover. Check out the contest information on her blog! Enjoy!

"I spun out of control. Eating was hard. Breathing was hard. Living was hardest."

2009-03-08T17:18:00.005-04:00

There are some books that I can sit down and read from beginning to end: they demand it. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (winner of this year's Edwards Award!) was not one of those books for me. I don't know if it was the subject (a teen suffering through cutting and anorexia) or the desperate voice of Lia, the main character, but I picked it up and read only a few pages at a time for weeks before being able to actually finish it. After her friend Cassie, from whom she is estranged, dies suddenly, Lia spirals out of control and we follow her as her behavior goes from scary to downright dangerous. Working with preteens and teens daily and having two daughters who will one day become teens made this book even more distressing for me. I have read all of Anderson's other titles and I would say the voice in this is her best yet. Teens who clamor for books "about the things we are going through" will be attracted to this title. Be prepared . . . the rawness will knock you over. This book will be available on March 19, 2009.

"So I wonder if true love is more subtle."

2009-03-02T17:02:00.002-05:00

Did everyone have one of those marriage projects in health class senior year in high school? I did but it was only one project in a marking period of health class. We did it because we had to, but we picked our friends in the class to "marry." It was a purely academic exercise.
The premise of A Match Made in High School, by Kristin Walker, is a little more intense. Not only does their project last all of their senior year, they are randomly matched with other members of their class. Of course, Fiona (Fee) is matched with a boy she doesn't like (nor his real life girl friend). The new "couples" have budgets to work out, jobs to find and money to earn. In the process, she finds that the boy she has crushed on is not necessarily who she thinks he is, while learning other classmates are more than she ever gave them credit.
Fiona comes to understand what is it that makes some relationships work and what causes others to fail. She also finds what it means to really be friends. And why it is important to have both.
This book is set to be published on May 14, 2009.

"Just breathe. Relax. I can do this."

2009-03-02T16:47:00.001-05:00

Heather McElhatton has written her second novel, Jennifer Johnson is Sick of being Single. The plot of which should seem readily discernible. And it is. Jennifer Johnson is a 30 year old living in Minnesota and wishing that she were no longer single. We get to know Jennifer and follow her as she begins dating Brad, the son of the owner of the department store where she works as a copy editor. Will this be the end of Jennifer's single-dom? Will they live happily ever after?
While the cover of this book (which I absolutely LOVED!) might lead you to believe that this is run of the mill chick-lit, it is very dark and much more believable than much of the chick-lit out there. This book is due to be published in May, 2009.

"The state of Noboyfriend is not a state like New Jersey is a state"

2009-02-19T22:08:00.001-05:00

I have a confession to make. I think I might be Ruby Oliver. Or at least there are some striking similarities between Roo and a younger version of me. Keep in mind, this is not always a complimentary comparison! But I really loved that about this and the other Ruby Oliver stories by e. lockhart.
In this installment, The Treasure Map of Boys, Roo is still going to counseling and still trying to sort out her roly-poly life in the Tate Universe. We first met Roo in The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book. She is not perfect and she certainly causes much of her own drama. But in the end, she is like most girls I knew (including myself!) in high school.
Like other e. lockhart books, these are quick reads because you want to discover what Ruby is going to figure out next. She is likable: quirks, panic attacks and all.
If you haven't read the other 2 books, you have time. This third novel is not due out until July 2009.

"You, yes you."

2009-02-19T08:11:00.002-05:00

The final installment of Jessica Darling's life with and without Marcus Flutie, perfect fifths, by Megan McCafferty begins with Jessica dashing through the airport to catch a plane to her friends' Bridget and Percy's wedding. As the title suggests, this is the fifth in McCafferty's series and, as the final chapter, seeks to answer all the questions Jessica and Marcus have about their tumultuous past and uncertain future. The entire book is staged around a meeting between Jessica and Marcus who have not seen each other in three years . . . since the day Jessica refused Marcus' marriage proposal. There is an amazing section written entirely in Haiku poetry which stands out as one of the most unique "conversations" I have ever read. I loved this whole series and it left me wondering where Jessica Darling was when I needed her in high school and college. This book is due to be published and available for sale on April 14, 2009.

"Lana has always believed in things. Fortune cookies. Horoscopes."

2009-02-14T10:14:00.001-05:00

The title of this post is a quote that comes really early (pg. 2!) in the book, The Decoding of Lana Morris by Laura and Tom McNeal , but it simply sets the stage for the underlying premise of this story. Lana Morris is in foster care, in what comes to be known as Snick House (snick for SNK, Special Needs Kids). As we all might imagine, foster homes are not always good and Lana's situation is less than desirable.
Through the book, she comes to believe that she has uncovered a way to grant wishes, in a manner of speaking. Without beating you over the head with it, the story is all about wishes and making pure wishes and what that means not only to you but also to the others in your life. Lana learns that wishes, like actions, have consequences that are not easily controlled or predicted.
Lana is going through a lot, perhaps much more than is believable. Bad situations are piled up. But the writing is good and Lana and Chet, the nice podcasting neighbor boy, seem much wiser than their 16 years. With just a touch of magical realism, we are all reminded to be careful what we wish for, because we just might get it.

A Reading by Sarah Dessen

2009-02-09T22:36:00.002-05:00

I wrote about Along for the Ride last week and then Sarah posted herself reading from it today. Enjoy!

"Wherever you go, you take yourself with you."

2009-02-09T00:10:00.001-05:00

While in Denver, we attended the Youth Media Awards press conference. I was excited to learn that Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book was awarded the 2009 Newbery Medal. I have been a fan of Neil Gaiman for some time but had not read this one until now.
Nobody "Bod" Owens finds himself living in a graveyard. Of course, it is not the usual life for a living, breathing boy. But he knows no other life. As he gets older, he learns many things, including some tricks of the dead. The inhabitants of the graveyard protect and raise him as one of their own.
Gaiman readily acknowledges Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as an inspiration. And no doubt, the similarities are there. But Bod stands on his own, with much imagination and care on the part of Gaiman. While I thought it was a little slow to get going, I found it hard to put down the further into it I went.
With great characters and a mix of fantasy, spooks and growing pains, its obvious why this book is popular with readers as well as the critics!

"Four weeks before we left for Indianapolis, he became the first person in our school's history to have a varsity jacket for quiz bowl."

2009-02-08T22:01:00.002-05:00

Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci are the editors of Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, a compilation of short stories written by some of the hottest YA authors. From the philosophical question about what would happen if a Jedi hooked up with a Klingon at a convention, Black and Castellucci wrote a story which answers that question in their own way. They then invited others to imagine some of the most awkward moments faced by teenagers from relationships to being new in a school to all the subtle things that make one person "cool" and another person a "geek." Authors included are: Holly Black, Cecil Castellucci, Tracy Lynn, Scott Westerfeld, Cassandra Clare, M. T. Anderson, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Garth Nix, Lisa Yee, Kelly Link, John Green, Barry Lyga, Sara Zarr (this story not included in the ARE copy), Wendy Mass, and Libba Bray. Art by Bryan Lee O'Malley and Hope Larson, including comics, top ten lists, and gaming-type icons, add fun and interest to this anthology. This book is due to be published and availalbe for sale in August, 2009.

"It has been revealed to me that your oldest daughter, Sister Kyra, is to wed Apostle Hyrum Carlson. She will be his seventh wife in the Lord."

2009-02-02T20:09:00.002-05:00

Carol Lynch Williams was signing copies of The Chosen One at Midwinter in Denver and I was thrilled to receive one. The topic of the book, an extreme fundamental belief that polygamy is the only way to Heaven, is fascinating. Kyra, age 13, is one of her father's 20 children with his three wives. The Prophet has a vision that Kyra should be the seventh wife of her 60-year-old uncle. Through flashbacks of events that Kyra calls her "sins," as well as scenes of her life leading up to the wedding, we see Kyra learn that she can make different choices. But, is she willing to leave her family behind and reach out into the unknown?
This books is due to be published and for sale on May 12, 2009.

"Maybe the truth was, it shouldn't be easy to be amazing. Then everything would be."

2009-02-01T16:47:00.004-05:00

When I saw a stack of ARCs of Sarah Dessen's latest novel, Along for the Ride, at the Penguin booth in Denver, I let out a little squeal. Seriously. The girl in the booth may have been scared, but she graciously handed one over--and I am so appreciative. In this lovely book, Dessen tells the story of Auden, a teenager spending her last summer before going to college at her father and stepmother's home following the birth of their first baby. Throughout the summer, Auden's insomnia pairs her with Eli, who is struggling to deal with the loss of his best friend Abe. They travel through the night with Eli leading Auden on a quest to regain a missed childhood, while Auden helps Eli deal with moving past the trauma of losing Abe.
This book is due to be published and available for sale June 16, 2009.

"Let's just say this is the last bridge. I've burned all the others . . . "

2009-01-31T16:21:00.001-05:00

One of the books I am most excited about is Teri Coyne's first novel, The Last Bridge. I received an ARE (Advance Reader's Edition) of it from Random House in Denver. And . . . "WOW!" Cat hasn't been home in 10 years. But when her mom kills herself shortly after her father has a stroke, Cat returns to the home of her youth to find her mother's suicide note: "Cat, He isn't who you think he is. Mom. xxxooo"
If that kind of hook doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will! Throughout the entire book, we learn piece by piece the reasons why Cat (aka Alex) has not been home in 10 years. We also find out about whom the note was written. Most importantly, we find out, alongside Cat, exactly who she is capable of being.
This book is due to be published and available for sale on July 28, 2009.

Welcome to Bedtime Booktalks!

2009-01-31T15:43:00.000-05:00

When librarians gather, you never know what will happen!

We were a mile high in Denver, CO for ALA MidWinter (check out our "proof" in the photo!). And for Karen and Laura, simple booktalks in our shared hotel room after an exhausting day of meetings and gathering ARCs at publisher booths brought forth a love of sharing books and authors. Our awesome friend Kristin encouraged us to start a blog, so here we are!
We plan to review a combination of adult and young adult literature (new and some not so new) from the perspective of two book-lovin' chicks who share a secret desire to one day become prison librarians.
Thanks for reading and we hope that you enjoy our "Bedtime Booktalks" as much as we enjoy sharing these books with you!